Parental Perceptions of School Fee Policies, Value-for-Money, and Financial Transparency in Private Schools in UAE

Abstract

The private education sector is the primary educational choice for many families in the United Arab Emirates. The ambiguity of additional school fees and “hidden costs” has impacted the school-parent relationship. This study investigates parental perceptions of school fee policies, financial transparency, and value-for-money within the UAE private education sector. The study deployed a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, data were collected from 224 parents and analysed via SPSS descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. The results reveal a significant "transparency gap" regarding hidden costs and punitive fee enforcement tactics, which severely fracture parent-school trust. Quantitative analysis highlighted a "Premium Paradox"; parents paying higher tuition fees reported lower satisfaction with value-for-money, as highly educated demographics strictly define educational value through teacher quality and student progress rather than physical facilities. Consequently, data integration demonstrated a profound "trust deficit," driving parents to rely heavily on external educational regulators rather than internal school governance. Finally, the study provides significant implications for educational policymakers and school administrators, recommending the establishment of an educational dispute resolution office and transparent variable cost frameworks to rebuild trust and ensure equitable financial practices.

Keywords: School Fee Policies, Financial Transparency, Value-For-Money, Private Schools, Parental Perceptions, Educational Governance, UAE.