MUSCAT: Underscoring the importance of the School’s decision to maintain the current fee structure, Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman of the Indian School Board, stated that the move is in solidarity with families grappling with financial strain from the aftermath of the pandemic.

Speaking exclusively to The Arabian Stories, Dr. Sivakumar acknowledged the prolonged recovery period for many firms and individuals post-pandemic and highlighted the challenges faced by both employers and employees in attaining financial stability.

“Many firms have not yet fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic and it may take a couple of years more to reach financial sustainability for the employers as well as the employees. In addition with that, escalating prices have put a strain on the finances of the average individual, particularly those already struggling to manage with limited income,” Dr. Sivakumar noted.

“In view of the above and to ease the burden of parents as an institution known for its benevolence to its community, Indian School Muscat has taken a decision not to hike the fee for the next academic year, which was wholeheartedly welcomed by the parent community. This has been made possible by the School by strategically planning its finances and putting on hold some of its infrastructural development activities,” he said.

However, some schools especially in the outer capital region have made minimal increase of RO 1. “There has been very minimal increase of fee by one riyal in some of the schools, especially in the outer capital region, not only to meet its operational requirements but also to support those students whose parents are still financially stricken,” he added.