NorthernLad

As an impending parent, I will do all in my power to avoid GEMS. For a start, food is something that helps me survive.

"Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS Education, the world’s largest private school operator which has schools charging fees at both ends of the spectrum, was recently quoted by Forbes Asia as saying: “Education is recession-proof. Parents would forgo their food to send their children to the right school … We adopted the airline model of economy, business and first class to make top-notch education available based on what families could afford.”


http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/ge...ikes-1.1320338

Bahtatboy

He's probably right, and astute. But all I feel is

Millhouse

...but very few.

Actually, I think what he said is spot on. He is actually creating a market by offering levels of schools for each budget.

Beakersful

Schools in KSA are applying to up the fees 1,000sar/year. 30 gave so far got it. Wages in my field aren't going up, in fact many places have been going down over the last year in the face of increased cost of living.

Who was it saying when the school fees go up in the Dubai, that's the sign of impending bubble bursting?

Millhouse

Well, with the increased rents and school fees, I'm looking at about 120-130k AED less drinking money. Even the maid is asking for more as the bus fares have gone up.

scot47

Millhouse, think of the money you could save if you became an observant Muslim ! No bills for alcohol ! Or bacon sandwiches !

scrubbedexpat141

Fair play to them. As much as I wish they would put the increases they can charge to my mrs' salary, they have this market by the bollocks and are milking it.

It's just because it's emotive for parents who all think their child is an untouchable, not-for-profit-making angel.

Millhouse

Given that I drink less than most Muslims, not much.

The bacon is a problem.

weasel decentral

I would upset to use the airline model if I am paying for first class and getting economy service,or to labour the metaphor even further paying for economy and getting flown by Air-Afghanistan in the cargo hold.

There seems to be no mandatory minimum standard or at least one that is enforced or adhered to in any meaningful way.

But kudos to the owners who have successfully commercialised their operation to the point where their shit lower standards cast the parents as being so unsuccessful in life they cannot afford good schools, rather than the shoddy service provided by the educator.

God I am bored today.

scrubbedexpat141

KHDA do inspections, that's about it, although I think they're pretty good inspections given the effort I know the teachers go into at the mrs' place.

Your metaphors describe nothing but a normal market, if Emirates First Class is the market leader, you'll pay top whack for it. If you fly Olympic and think their First Class is bang average, you'll no doubt not fly again, especially if you feel you've been overcharged. You'll go to Emirates and ask for First Class. But if you can't afford it, maybe you'll have to look at going Business instead?

NorthernLad

It's more to do with the fact that the schools can screw you over...all the parents I know in Dubai do the very best they can for their children, but they are at the mercy of (often very average) schooling and the owners.

Wasn't it Repton a few years ago that had increases capped so added 'catering' fee's to the school charges?

I know of one supposedly good school that closed its art department to make way for more seats.

weasel decentral

It's not a normal market, it is a very constrained and non competitive market. It seems prices are artificially inflated and regulation is lax.

It doesn't bother me much but I understand how parents get upset when they believe that profit making is the sole goal of the school.
Quite similar to how they must feel when they buy a house or villa in one of the 'communities' I have built. However I won't impair the long term development of their children with my shoddy work. (unless it falls on them of course )

scrubbedexpat141

The thing is, it is what it is.

I don't really disagree with either of you. There are excellent, average and shit teachers as well as schools.

Choice is 'limited' in Qatar, but in Dubai - there are loads of schools, no?

The schools here are not all profit-making, there are non-profit ones but I've no idea what they charge. The group mentioned and who's leader is quoted are a huge business. They own their supply chain, up and down and are unrelenting in charging parents for the extras wherever possible.

Parents can fight it by not using them, but they have to because they have kids here and want them to get educated...BUT - if it became so expensive and the quality so poor then people would leave.

weasel decentral

I wonder if there is scope for a Ryanair truth in advertising style school movement in Dubai.

The brutal honesty approach, that they will get you from A to B and nothing else. That your kids will have the minimum state enforced standard of education, no sports days, no fancy marble receptions and none of the frills.

Marketed in a way that makes people feel stupid to pay a higher price for other schools. Reverse snob factor.

© WD Schooling Services LLC

Millhouse

Window dressing. The lesson that is given on assessment day is nothing like the one given all year round. It's impossible. That's why the teachers put so much effort into that day (vs. any other day)