MUSCAT: With all the schools in the country shut as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, many parents have raised concerns about paying tuition fees in this “unprecedented situation”.

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, some parents called for reduction of the tuition fees as schools are closed. “I have two children studying in Indian school and we have already received a message from the school asking to pay their quarterly fees. I run a small business here. Now with coronavirus crisis, most of the companies are running remotely and shops closed, my payments from clients are all on hold. This is an unprecedented situation for everyone. As the schools closed, they should look at least reducing the fee,” said Jibu Cherian, an Indian businessman in Muscat.

Students across the country are continuing their education via e-learning as actual classes remain suspended.

Another parent from an Indian school echoed similar sentiments. “I have paid full fees of two kids because my company has paid us salary on time. There are hundreds of parents who are struggling, mostly due to salary delay or deduction and those running small scale businesses. What happens to them? How will pay fees when they are struggling to meet their own expenses? We understand that the schools have operational expenses, therefore I advise them to reduce a percentage of the fees,” said Manoj Kumar, an engineer working in Muscat.

Waive-off fees
Meanwhile, P.M. Jabir, Welfare Secretary of Indian Social Club wrote to the Chairman of Indian Schools in Oman urging to waive-off the fees. “I would like to bring to your kind attention the condition of many of the parents in different Indian schools. As you may be aware due to the lock out, a large number of Indians do not earn any income. This is more so in the case of daily wage workers who form a majority of parents in the schools. They do not have any money even to buy food and other necessities and paying the school fees is unthinkable for them. Some schools have sent messages to parents that their ward would be denied education if the school fees is not paid soon. Many have asked us to bring this to the attention of the Board, the Embassy and the government. 
I request you to waive off the fees from parents who have stopped receiving their wages as a result of lock down necessitated by the Covid 19 situation,” Jabir wrote to the BOD, a copy of which is available with The Arabian Stories.

Indian School board reacts
On Monday, Board of Directors (BOD of Indian Schools in Oman have advised parents to remit their children’s fees in a monthly manner instead of quarterly mode. “This will reduce the financial constraints on parents due to coronavirus outbreak,” said a senior BOD official.

When asked if the board will look into reducing fees, the official had this to say: “Almost 90% of our expenses goes for the salary of staff that includes teachers. Our school fees are the lowest in the region compared to any other schools. Other than school fees we don’t generate any other extra income. We cannot afford to stop paying the teachers their salary,” the official clarified.

Schools should be understanding
Another parent whose children are studying at an international private school in Muscat said: “I am due to pay a huge amount as fees but we spoke to the school and they have promised to do something,” she said.
“The schools are shut for almost one month now. We believe it will be extended further. During such time, they will be providing online classes but that is less expensive compared to going to actual schools. The parents are also equally putting efforts to teach the kids especially when you have three kids it is difficult to manage online. So they (the schools) must at least look at reducing the fees,” she said.

Online classes
The Indian schools meanwhile have started online classes for the students of X and XII from the first week of March. Similarly, online tutoring for other classes will start from mid of April.

A Bangladeshi resident, whose child attends schooling in Muscat urged officials to help families. “I received a message from school to pay the fees. We are a low-income family and it’s difficult for me to pay the fees this time because of the crisis. I would request the school to help us with a discount,” he said.

What the Ministry of Education say?
Meanwhile, His Excellency Dr. Hammoud bin Khalfan Al Harthi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education met the officials of all private schools in the country and discussed ways to implement measures to reduce the impact of coronavirus.

Al Harthi requested parents to continue paying the fees but asked school authorities to look into account the situations of parents whose work or income has been affected due to the current situation.