GEMS offers fee concession to help parents overcome Covid-19 impact

dubai — As the world’s leading educational entity with over 70 schools in its purview, Dubaibased GEMS has stepped up to the plate and offered a fees concession to offer succour to parents and children in these trying times.

Listing the relief measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, a GEMS spokesman said: “We are fully conscious of the economic and financial impact that the global shutdown has caused on so many, including our own families and this is why we are taking specific steps to rework the fees.

“Those families that have been adversely impacted by Covid-19 can benefit from a slew of options which include, deferment of fees, payment plans or discounts for families who have lost their jobs, had salary cuts or been placed on unpaid leave and are struggling to pay fees at this point in time.”

GEMS has also accepted a waiver of all registration fees, assessments and administration fees until further notice. “This means-tested approach will allow us to allocate our relief efforts to those most in need during these unprecedented times, while retaining all of our teachers and managing our cost base which, despite intense media speculation, have not decreased,” he said.

In a written release to media, GEMS clarified its position on the matter of the fee restructuring with these provisos.

“Almost 100% of our costs are fixed or contractual. We are yet to receive any payment relief from our landlords or service providers.

“We must retain our teachers and staff who are working tirelessly to ensure seamless learning for all our students not just for this semester, but for many more years to come.

“Over the last seven years, all schools have sustained significant cost escalations far in excess of regulated fee increases.”

It also stated it would always answer the call of the leaders of the nation to ensure that education must continue under any circumstances.

“This is not a conversation about profits or surplus, but about the continuity and sustainability of our schools and our communities for decades to come,” it said.