Abu Dhabi Education Council has rejected requests for an increase in school fees from 39 private operators, it announced on Tuesday.

ADEC said in a statement that it received applications from a total of 90 private schools to raise fees for the 2016-2017 academic year.

It added that its committees approved 51 applications that met the eligibility criteria. The schools included 15 implementing Asian curriculum and 75 implementing other curriculums while the average fee increase was approximately 6 percent.

A further 39 schools were refused permission to raise fees. ADEC said to qualify for a fee increase, schools must meet performance standards measured in annual inspections, according to the number of total points earned in each of the five basic standards.

Fee increase criteria include the improvement of human resources by recruiting quality teachers and focusing on professional development and salaries.

Investment in the maintenance of school buildings, facilities and extensions compared with the previous year is also a criterion.

In addition, the percentage of Emiratis among the teaching, administrative and technical staff and students is considered. The admission of special needs students and provision of support needed for them are taken into account.

A circular from ADEC said schools should maintain balance between school owners & parents’ rights.