Holding Fee in Schools-Is it usual in Qatar?
I received a letter from my child's school yesterday requesting us to confirm whether we are still intending to enrol our child for the 2009/2010 academic year for them to be able to plan effectively. If so, they are requesting us to pay a non-refundable holding fee of QR10,000 that will be credited to the first term fees of 2009/2010. This will be due on the 1st of March 2009 which is actually about 6 months prior to the start of the next school year. I really think that this is unreasonable (The 3rd term of this year hasn’t started yet).
I have no problem confirming our intentions. It is actually a good idea to plan ahead. However, I still haven’t bought the idea of paying a non-refundable fee of QR 10,000 six months in advance especially now that the world is under a period of uncertainty with the current global financial crisis (QR 500-1000 is still acceptable.
Plus, they haven't published the fees for the next school year. How can we make an informed decision? What if they increased it by so much (it is already expensive as it is) that most parents can't already afford it? Parents, especially those who are not getting any educational assistance from their employers, will have no choice but to send their children to other schools and forego the non-refundable holding fee.
Is this common among all schools here in Qatar?
In fairness, the school is very good and I really intend to keep my child there next year.
opening another branch doesn't mean that they are good...its business...So many schools have more than one branch...
Cambridege university is only charging around 60000 QR for undergraduates..
why are these people charging the same amount for kids to play and do drawings?
I think qatar companies and the governments have to do something about these money grabbers and cheaters...
Yes, it is standard procedure.
Plus , how do you know that there are better British schools for half of the fee that Compass charges? As far as I understand your child has not attended Compass school.
It seems to me that Compass can charge this kind of money and is considered well worth it, as they have opened another school, there must be demand.
we moved to qatar in August 2010. Before we came to qatar we got a place for our daughter at Compass international school for pre schooling. When we came to qatar we realised that they we over charging and there are better school for half of the fees. So before school started in september we informed them that our daughter will no longer be joining their school.
They refused to refund our deposit of 3000+ QR. Is this acceptable? Is there anyway we can get our deposit back...They can't argue because of us they lost a chance to offer another student a place because they also opened another branch recetly and they are charging 60000+ for even pre school students which is double compared to other British schools
What you may be forgetting is this, schools over here are not for education they are businesses.
They presume that all of us have our fees paid and the companies we work for will pay what they ask and if we don't have our fees paid they are not interested.
Schools over here need a reality check.
I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!
The International school of London went to far requesting to pay before the 16th of May 17500Qr for each child in order to confirm the seat for next year.Even we just payed the last term a few weeks ago.Parents are so scare that they do pay what ever to keep that seat, even we do not known still who is going to run the school after the teachers are running away, probably because they are under payed.Where is the HUMAN RIGHT DEP to make sure EDUCATION is a must and nobody should play with it.If the country authorities do not take control over that private or nationals schools fees the money makers from the education will do their goal:MONEY MONEY
good for you tbt. perhaps the school administrators are QLrs? QL rules!
I just received another letter from my child's school today saying that they are withdrawing their request for payment on the 1st of March. Instead, they will just give us an invoice that will be due for payment on the 30th of April.
Maybe they have realized that claiming 10,000 in such short notice would be really difficult for a lot of people.
Now it became reasonable.
It is so happening in Dubai that people are leaving the Country hence living behind plenty of schools losing students and this is the reason behind asking for a deposit for securing themselves.
If you are so sure of not loosing your job and staying back in Qatar then you may pay the same else advisable to find some other good school for your child.
an esay way to make money. It reminds more of how the financial companies fell flat on their faces
The future is made of the same stuff as the present - Simone Weil.
I think almost all western schools are following this trend. I know Park House and Doha College do that..
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HE WHO DARES WINS
I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. ;)
Perhaps some money is better than no money...it is still going to have be enough to survive. The cost of living is very high here. The engineers, brokers, etc., that you mentioned, would do best to do their homework before moving out of their cars and USA sheltered parking lots.
Cynbob, the middle class of the US (this is our engineers, brokers etc) are subject to living out of their cars. People are loosing their houses daily, and these are the educated middle crust of the workforce. Parking lots in the US have now become "shelters" which are designated sleeping areas for people living in their cars to ensure they have a safe place to park at night.
I do believe that this is justification enough for a move as some money is far better than no money. I think a lot of people in this situation (and there are more than you think) would jump at the opportunity, but it just isnt there.
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
People relocate for different reasons. One of the main reasons is the salary increase and the perks. It is not that easy just moving "at a drop of a hat."
Because the economy is such in the West, or globally for that matter, the prospective employees will weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of making such a drastic move. The package will have to be lucrative enough to justify the move.
Now, for those prospective employees that want an adventure or want to make a drastic move for other reasons...then perhaps the employer will be able to hire them at a lower rate.
Regardless of the reason, it is expensive moving to another part of the world and the sacrifice has to be justified monetarily.
Hmm Cynbob, I think that with the economic state in the West a lot of people are going to be gagging for jobs and will relocate at the drop of a hat as a job in general will be attractive enough to entice them. Major firms (even governmental) have been cutting back in their new budgets, including their staff and the benefits.
Bstmom, I am pleased with the Canadian school in general, I do wish they were a bit more academically strict. They are not up to par with ASD but not many schools are. They are still developing but all in all I like it.
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
money can't buy everything..
or change neither..
unless people change themselves..
and that'll take a long time to be realised..
and civilised...
I think reputable companies will continue to offer these "perks" because it is hard for families to relocate. These packages make it easier for a family to pull up stakes and live here.
In order to entice quality workers, the companies will have to continue to make good offers with worthwhile packages.
Despite popular belief, the Middle East is not the most desired place to relocate/work.
Amoud, companies are already picking up on that, the place I used to work for, made a new policy for new hirees to be paid a certain amount for the school fee which in retrun will limit you to the certain schools, unless ofcourse you pay the diffrence out of your pocket.
BTW how is canadian school? how long have your children been going there?
You know, with the way this thread is going it got me thinking..... Do you think that with companies starting to lay people off and such, will they start to pull all of the nice benefits? When I first came here it wasnt common to have school fees paid unless you were coming to Mobil .... and it only started to be common practise in the last 5 years or so.
Will people be grateful just to have a job soon and will employers pick up on that and take advantage?
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
If you want your company bad enough---you'll pay fees for your child.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
If your company wants YOU bad enough---they'll pay fees for your child.
who knows later...or in next six months, we hear similar story in Qatar as well.
Read this also
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/381705
I have read various articles that schools in Dubai are losing students because of the crisis.
and been advised by School Head that HSBC are ready to lend money @12% loan to pay children fees....
isn't terrible?
Fortunately, ur company is providing term fees, i have to bear all expenses on single salary package!
This only happens in the Gulf. But, if you don't like it, why are you still here? If you decide to stay here you have to endure all kinds of Human Rights violations, funny contracts, laws that aren't implemented, and so on. But it still is your choice, isn't it?
I just can't imagine how my company will react on the fact that they have just reimbursed me for this year's full fees and I am already reimbursing another 10,000 for next year's holding fees after only one and half term. Companies also need to manage their financial position and cash flows. If they have only asked this in May or in June (they have a long waiting list anyway)then it might be more reasonable.
fee or to be put back on the waiting list. Now my kids were on the waiting list already for almost a year.
So my company paid it, if they didn't, we were going back to our home country. They were in a not so strong academical school and my kids education is more important than money.
The future is made of the same stuff as the present - Simone Weil.
My sons in the Canadian school. Their fees are similar to Doha college but they only take a 2000 advance.
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
teachers their 2 months vacation salaries.
Due to limitation of good schools and very high in demand, there is a queue for over 2 years. The above case seems to be taking undue advantage of situation by school management
My company had to pay a 50% holding fee for my two kids in a English school, which totaled to QAR16500.00, to keep their places until next term. Keep in mind this money will not be deducted from their first term's fee. They still need to pay that term in full.
It was either paying that amount or pay the early termination fee at their current school, which was more than that.
If you are certain your kids will be going to that school it's fine(money will be deducted from first term's fees due), but if your not sure, then it's a problem. So it doesn't sound to bad - could be worse.
This will be an ongoing "problem", until Qatar builds enough schools for the 8000 children on waiting lists at schools here. Until then you/we as parents are going to suffer financial losses, if you are to pay fees yourselves. Lucky for me or unlucky for my company, they have to cover my kids education fees, but I know some also don't pay this holding fees or more than once a year registration fees.
span class="body">The future is made of the same stuff as the present - Simone Weil.
Too true Victor, but you know I find this reasoning insane as the waiting lists for some of these schools can be 2 years deep.
It is kind of a take it or leave it situation isnt it.
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
over demand for schools and they don't want to keep any slot empty and could fill up with new admission in next semister.
righto ngourlay, it is Doha College and all schools ask for the deposit for the next year to hold the spot. _____________________________________________________
"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
Doha College asks for a deposit. I seem to remember it was about QR10K. Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do about it, as there are plenty of people who are willing to pay the money.
paying a nominal advance fees of QRS 2,000/- for each child
Never heard of this before...tell them you can give them a post dated cheque for their gaunrantee..
we never know what happens tomorrow and QR. 10000 is not a small money!