Sharjah Ruler orders Sudan Private School to refund fees after parent's complaint

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) to stop collecting all fees from Sudanese students at Sudan Private School.

He also instructed the authority to refund any nominal fees that may have already been collected from parents.

Sudan Private School Established to Support Families

Speaking during the phone-in programme ‘Direct Line’, Sheikh Dr Sultan explained that Sudan Private School was established to support members of Sharjah’s Sudanese community who could not afford to enrol their children in other schools across the emirate.

He said the school was intended to operate entirely free of charge, with the Sharjah government taking responsibility for teachers and other school-related operations.

The Sharjah Ruler said he continues to closely follow the school's affairs and remains in regular contact with those managing the institution.

No Fees, Whether Large or Small

Sheikh Dr Sultan said SPEA had apparently introduced certain charges and described them as “nominal” fees.

However, he stressed that even a small fee can represent a significant financial burden for families in need.

He therefore directed SPEA not to collect any fees, whether large or small, from students at the school.

The Ruler also called on the authority to return money already taken from families who may have paid such charges.

Sharjah Ruler Stresses Close Monitoring of School

Sheikh Dr Sultan also highlighted his direct involvement in monitoring the school's performance and staff.

He said disciplinary action is taken when teachers fail to meet expected standards. If a teacher is found to have physically harmed a student, their employment is terminated immediately.

Teachers who require improvement are given training and support to help them perform effectively. If their performance does not improve, they are removed from the school.

Parent Raises Concerns Over Tuition Fees

The Sharjah Ruler's comments came after a parent of Sudanese students contacted the ‘Direct Line’ programme.

The parent said Sudanese families had understood that the school was provided as an honour from the Sharjah Ruler and would be completely free.

According to the message, parents were later asked to pay tuition fees after a full year of study. The parent also claimed that students were not given their certificates until outstanding fees and the fees for the new academic year were paid.

School Intended to Remain Completely Free

Responding to the concerns, Sheikh Dr Sultan reaffirmed that Sudan Private School was established specifically to help Sudanese families who were unable to afford other educational options.

His latest directive makes clear that students at the school should not be charged tuition or nominal fees, while any fees already collected are to be refunded.