MUSCAT: This assurance comes after widespread concern from parents following media reports about the significant fine and its potential impact on school fees.
In an exclusive comment to The Arabian Stories, a board official clarified that the board is working on alternative arrangements to fulfil the financial obligation. “The Board is in the process of making alternative arrangements to meet the current financial requirement. We are making every effort to ensure that there is no burden on parents because of this legal issue,” he stated.
The fine was imposed by an Omani court for violations related to a leasehold agreement involving the construction of the Indian school building and associated facilities. The case dates back to 2015 when the Indian School Board signed an agreement with the building owner in the Al Janina area of Barka. After constructing the building and obtaining the necessary permissions, the Board decided to withdraw from the agreement, which led to the legal dispute. The court ruled that the lease agreement, originally intended for 20 years, was breached.
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The ruling sparked concerns among parents, especially since the school’s only source of income is the fees paid by students. Many questioned how the Indian School Board could afford to pay such a large sum, given its financial structure. In response, the Board emphasised that it is actively working on finding solutions to cover the fine without increasing the financial burden on parents.
The fine of RO 949,659.200 had raised fears that the cost could be transferred to students through higher fees. However, the Indian School Board is determined to prevent this, with officials assuring that steps will be taken to secure the necessary funds without affecting the 47,000 students enrolled across the 22 Indian schools in Oman.
While media outlets in India have widely reported on the legal issue – with headlines questioning if the fine of over 20 crore Indian rupees would affect students – the Board has clearly stated that the financial impact would not be passed on to the families.
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