‘Private schools found to have hiked fees face stiff penalties’
AIC offers diploma programs
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 25: Some private schools increased their fees under the pretext of “category difference” although they have no right to do so, reports Al-Anba daily quoting Private Education Department Director in the Ministry of Education Sanad Al-Mutairi who affirmed these schools have violated the relevant ministerial decision.
Al-Mutairi issued the statement after some parents and guardians filed a complaint about the fee increase in certain private schools. The complainants disclosed that these schools threatened to expel students or withhold their certificates at the end of the school year if they refuse to pay the fee increase. They said these schools increased fees in each academic level by up to KD 180.
The complainants added the price of school uniforms and books does not exceed KD 10, but they were asked to pay higher prices for these items. They then called on Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Hamed Al-Azmi to intervene and stop these violations.
Al-Mutairi stressed that the ministry will impose harsh penalties on schools proven to have violated the regulations.
Meanwhile, with the specializations, some of which are being offered for the first time in Kuwait’s colleges, the American International College (AIC) announced its willingness to receive students wishing to join its institution during its first academic year beginning in September, which offers seven diploma programs, reports AlRai daily.
The President of the College, Dr. Maria Crummet and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Mousa Mohsen said the disciplines available at the college are in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and two in Design Graphic Design and Interior Design in addition to the Diploma of Information Systems.
The college is the first in Kuwait to introduce entrepreneurship and innovation, announcing international academic partnerships with Broward College Florida and Wayne State University in Michigan.
Dr. Crummet said that the three most important factors that ensure the success of the college students are the development of the workforce, through the promotion of economic growth and entrepreneurship through educational partnerships in business and industry, and lifelong learning, where the college provides education and training that produce qualified graduates to meet the needs of plans Kuwait’s national development, thereby enhancing career readiness in a changing economic environment, and finally global participation, by endorsing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the Kuwait National Development Plan.