Khaleej Times

Discounts cannot compromise on quality education

- Clive Pierrepont Director of Communicat­ions, Taaleem

Many educators, like myself, are looking forward to a break in the summer. I particular­ly look forward to a casual lunch at one of the roadside cafés or restaurant­s near my home; the choices are plenty.

When choosing where to dine, what does amaze me is that, although establishm­ents can be located side by side, one is always brimming with customers and next door all seats are empty. This can perhaps be explained by local knowledge, where well-informed and discerning diners choose one place over another, notwithsta­nding similar menus, location and prices. And despite the attempts of worried owners to lure customers into their establishm­ents with promotions, offers and discounts, they inevitably fail achieve their objectives. Why is this? Simply put, most customers realise that the costs of these incentives must be recouped from somewhere and that is usually going to compromise the quality of the food, service and the business sustainabi­lity somewhere down the line. Therefore, locals will always flock to oft long serving establishm­ents that they have had consistent­ly positive experience­s in and will go on to recommend them to their friends.

Some commentato­rs are saying that the Dubai education marketplac­e has become oversuppli­ed in the premium sector and that it has

When choosing where to dine, what does amaze me is that, although establishm­ents can be located side by side, one is always brimming with customers and next door all seats are empty. sparked fierce competitio­n. It is the KHDA has done a fantastic true that several years ago, parents job. There is indeed great would have had to apply to numerous pressure now for new schools to schools simultaneo­usly to find win over families and hit student a place for their child, but with the enrollment targets. Some have range of choices that now exist, deeply discounted their fees, these the balance has shifted and families appear in many guises, scholarshi­ps, have a much greater choice founders and corporate discounts regarding the school they would etc. However, most parents, like for their children. In this respect like the residents and visitors to my local beachfront, realise that the costs of these incentives must be recouped from somewhere.

Education establishm­ents will always be in tune with their customers’ needs and the best ones will anticipate them. While staffing continues to be our major expenditur­e at our schools, rather than transferri­ng the rising costs to families, we have successful­ly absorbed many inflationa­ry pressures through cost review exercises and prudent housekeepi­ng, just like a great beachfront restaurant does.

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