Sunday, June 24, 2012

ESF increases Fees

Yesterday I went to the English School Fahaheel to register my daughter, I was just about to hand over the 400 KD for her and my son when I heard the lady talking on the phone to someone regarding school fees. Once I heard her mention the fees for lower grades I thought something was wrong. I saw the new school fees which were an increase of 10%. I wish they would have told me earlier about the increase, if I would have paid the 400 KD and changed my mind they would have kept the money. The fees went from 2690 KD per year for grades 7-11 to 2960 KD which doesn't include 120 KD for school supplies, 235 KD for the bus and 95 KD for the uniform. For 12 and 13 grades the cost is 3240 KD. ESF had been the cheapest school in the area besides Cambridge and I really liked the way ESF was run but now I can't afford the increase so I'm looking at trying Cambridge again.

ESF's payment plan limits my ability as well as the school wants over 4500 KD by August and the remaining 1650 KD by Dec which is hard considering most schools accept payments over 3 terms. I can't believe they don't warn parents of increases. The accountant told me the proposal is still waiting to be approved by the Ministry. If children were getting a Harvard type education then an increase would be acceptable but no private schools offer that. The school had a different price for KOC which makes me feel as if they are catering more toward parents whose companies pay for their kids schooling not the average person working their butt off to pay for it. My older children are not Kuwaiti so they don't qualify for any kind of help even though their siblings and step-father are Kuwaiti which makes it difficult for me as a mother not having any support group back in the states for them to go to school there.  Government schools are impossible as my kids don't speak Arabic and no, my husband is not rich as most people think of Kuwaitis, we are just an average family.

It's getting harder and harder to survive in this country.

31 comments:

  1. That's really unfortunate and unfair they don't even warn the parents. Not to mention, as you said, the education they're providing isn't top quality. Some of the Teachers barely speak English and the ones who do exhibit poor grammar skills.

    Have you and your husband considered moving to the US until the kids finish school or at least get a bit older? I know the economy isn't so great there right now, but depending on the area you live in, at least the public school systems offer a quality education.

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  2. That's outrageous! I can't believe it costs that much for private school. I think Amerucan Girl's idea is a good one.

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  3. I wish I could go back to the states but I don't have that kind of luxury to go back and maintain a life here as well. I was in the states for 6 months and really hated it. California is so expensive and taxes are even worse. Inshallah things will get better as I found a school in Hawally that is less expensive and gives a 10% discount if you have more tha one child. I think I've become Kuwaiti as I hate pumping my own gas back home loool

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  4. I would recommend sending your children to the Indian English schools like Carmel School and Don Bosco which are convent or Catholic run and have a decent standard of English education and they don't rip you off like the "English Schools". They accept students from all nationalities as well and it will be big relief for you if you are from a average Kuwaiti Family

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  5. New English School in jabriya also increased their tuition fees! From grade 3-6 its 2645 KD

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  6. Ha - here in New Jersey we don't pump our own gas! Have you considered letting your children do an on-line school? They would be able to work at their own pace and take classes that they are interested in at a reasonable price. They are accredited and provide flexibility.

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  7. I've tried that already when we arrived from the states last year. My kids have the attention span of a gnat and can't concentrate with online studies. I have however, found a cheaper school and will be enrolling them into it so all is well.

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  8. From what I hear, it's not such a great school anyway Crazy- something about the Principal leaving this year.

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  9. epg.edu schools, uses the English National Curriculum to deliver the best of Early Years and Primary Education. Over the years, it has developed our own books and curriculum resources that match our students abilities and help them to progress solidly through the Foundation, KS 1 and KS 2 levels. Arabic is taught in line with the Kuwait Ministry of
    Education guidelines.

    English School In Kuwait,Nursery in Kuwait

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  10. I sorry about what is going on in English schools in Kuwait. My daughter attends in English school Fahaheel in grade-8. Her English teacher was a Lebaneese (her english accent is aweful, what she teaches is very low standard). English schools in Kuwait advertise for native english speaker for all subjects. Whereas english is taught by a Lebaneese teacher who speaks english with very good arabic accent, this is what is going on in Kuwait education sector. Many other teacher also not english speaker I do not want to tell their name. Education is a family business is Kuwait. Many business hoding company owns 5/6 schools. You will read in news paper now and them rotten fish are sold in open market and Kuwait municipality fines them. But there are no penalty system for these big fishes who are in the education business and selling rotten education for very high price. I am waiting for those days when they will bring their Philipino house maids (they speak good english, also fair complextion) to teach in the english schools. Time is running out I would request misnistry of education to look after theerse cases. Present minister of education came from very learned and highly respected family. Also under secretary of education is a very highly educated person. I would ask for their attention.

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  11. Mrs.Malache has a good accent, just because it's not american or anything doesn't mean she has bad English WTF.... But yea I agree.....overall, ESF is not the best school.

    Ps: Do not put them in Cambridge, it is a far worse school than ESF

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  12. The ESF is a very very bad school. You are paying very expensive (not far from 3000 KD per child) while mopst of the teachers are not "real teachers". Hte owner is filling his buckets with lots of money and not quality or even real eduction is given to the children. The only thing is " they are the only school in the area". 1000 Students X 3000 KD per child = ????? for the owner after deducting the expensices the are coasting almost nothing.

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  13. You are correct. Unfortunately it is the same for KIES and their school in Fahaheel as well. There is nothing we can do but slave to get our kids an education.

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  14. Indian and Pakistani schools are considered the best in Kuwait in term of Education (Education quality and reasonable fees). Mostly They have certified experienced teachers., they are less expensive than the “Pretended” English schools. The parents will save the difference to pay the transportation and other more important thing for their children (Even if the School is at Salimya or Ahmadi). Indian schools are very selective but it worth it.
    I have 2 children at ESF,,, It seems that the ESF School are hiring tourists as teachers since they change monthly from the beginning of this year, Some subjects have no teachers, other subjects have more than a teacher for the same subject (that confuses the children and cannot they follow up).
    The parents pay around 100 KD for the books then return the books at the end of the year (actually the books are for rental), which I consider immoral.
    The big surprise is when I asked my children if they understand their teachers particularly the English teachers and the answer was negative (The teacher have a very strong undefined accent – mostly sounds like eastern European accent - that the student cannot understand).
    And Even more than that,,, they are giving the 6th year student the 4th year books in some subjects.
    Usually we pay for quality, but unfortunately this is not the case. An advice,, go the Indian or Pakistani schools, even if they are a little far, don’t waste your money while your children are getting nothing at schools such as the ESF, enjoy your money and give your children good education some where else.

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  15. When I first came to Kuwait I was broke so I looked for Pakistani schools but I was rejected saying they only take Pakistani kids, I put my kids in AlAmal Indian school which was a complete joke as they hated my kids and when I put them into a British school they were held back a year because they learned nothing from the Indians.

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  16. To be honest, maybe your husband and you should try applying for well-paying jobs in The states or Canada. Try some cities where you know the tax is less, pay is more, environment is safe and friendly... something that really suits you guys appropriately. Then just enroll your kids into a Public school and hopefully all these educational problems will end. BTW... what school did you enroll your kids into after ESF?

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  17. I have my kids in Cambridge Hawally, but IBS in Fahaheel is a decent school but it only goes up to 8th grade.

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  18. I agree with comment 17. Are you gonna give it a shot when summer kicks off?

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  19. Well, my kids are Kuwaiti so I'm pretty much stuck here for life.

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  20. hello all
    my girl is studing in pakistanian school but its not good all teachers study very hard I want to change her school but the most school in Kuwait is expensive
    can you help me wich school is the best ?
    I want Islamic tarbia and good knowleg

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  21. hi all,
    we are new in Kuwait and would like to know your opinion of the british school of kuwait. i heard it is expensive but highly qualified. what do you think?

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  22. The British school of Kuwait is a not so bad (It is not highly qualified for sure) . Just the opposite side is the New English School, which is more expensive but better quality in term of education and school organization.
    These are the most well-known English schools in Kuwait (Adding the American school).
    Try to avoid Schools such as English school of Fahaheel, where the Children receive no Education (The teachers are mostly tourists) and to my experience, the students are not well treated (treated with violence by the school administration).

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    1. Regarding your comment about English School Fahaheel...'the Children receive no Education (The teachers are mainly tourists)' all I can say is that we have different experiences of the school. Along with many other teachers all across the school, I am a British qualified teacher with an MA (Ed) and a PGCE. While these forums should allow for sensible discussion I don't believe it is right to spread slander about reputable schools.

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  23. Having just stumbled on this site I have been horrified by some of the comments..It seems it is merely an opportunity for individuals to hide behind anonymity and make spurious claims. If the individuals cared to investigate more they would find that many of the British teachers ..passed through the threshold when teaching in the UK... If you do not know what that means ..I suggest you are not in a position to comment on the quality of education and would be better served researching what it means .

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  24. @ Anonymous who replied to a comment on september 11th. 'I am a British qualified teacher with an MA (Ed) and a PGCE. While these forums should allow for sensible discussion I don't believe it is right to spread slander about reputable schools.'
    'While these forums should allow for sensible discussion I don't believe it is right to spread slander about reputable schools.'
    ' I don't believe it is right to spread slander about reputable schools.'
    'reputable schools.'
    Have you even Heard any feedback from students? Your teaching is....brutal! Looking at other kids I dont think the teachers ever even think that they have other subjects beside the ones they teach. They give homework out like its fresh air from god! And I'm not gonna lie, Its the british ones, not the south african, not the american, the british ones. And about your 'reputable schools' The only thing apparently 'reputable' about them is that they're set up by A Western country which is pure gold here in Kuwait. Have you observed the behavior of students, or worse, the teachers????!!!! The fees are 2-3 times higher than what I would ever in a million years pay for the quality of the schools. Teacher tip #127458 Stop giving so much homework, Answer when the student asks you a question, Stop getting over-ractive and shouty when someone is a little confused and asks you to repeat something or asks you a simple question, and most importantly, Keep in Mind that your Students are HUMAN.

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  25. My Children where going to the Fahaheel English school (ESF), most of the students spoke very bad English, they were not serious, the teachers were wasting their time – not exactly since they are paid (Except the physical Education teachers). We did not see any MA (Ed) and a PGCE teachers!!!
    Actually they did not even have teachers for most of the subjects. Most of the parents and the students were even complaining about this school. BSK has a lot better level.
    This, I believe is one of the most important sensible discussion that it is right to spread about such pretending to be schools in this forum. We should show the reality of these called schools were the fees are going higher (more than 3000 KD a year per child) and nothing in return, not even basics of math for year 2, and I know what I am talking about.

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  26. Hello, i am a parent who is new to kuwait, wish to transfer my children from their schools in Singapore. I have searched and emailed to many British schools in Kuwait(i got the names of schools from wikipedia). One or two replied. After reading all the above posts from many parents, i am totally confused which school i will choose for my children.

    I received reply from ESF but now i am horrified and dont know if i am doing the right thing for my kids future.donno if i need to proceed or not. My children are doing well in Government schools in Singapore.

    Please help me to find good Indian or British schools in kuwait.
    Thanks.

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  27. It depends on your budget, if you can afford the better schools then BSK is a good one but expensive. There are Indian schools as well but your children will learn about rupees and Indian history if that's ok with you. It all depends on your budget.

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  28. As an advice from oner of the parents, The ESF is the worst school I have ever seen. On general, If can keep your children where they are it is better. The education in Kuwait has one of the lowest levels in the world. Now, concerning ther private schools such as ESF, these are fake schools to take your money, children will dance the whole day, that is it, They learn nothing.

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  29. This is for the parent from Singapore. How did it go? did you finally get a good school for your kids? I'm in the same situation right now and some of the comments here are horrifying to say the least.

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Comments are welcome! Personal attacks are not. Thanks!