SHARJAH: Sudanese families in Sharjah will no longer have to pay school fees for their children studying at Sudan Private School.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has ordered the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) to stop collecting fees from Sudanese pupils at the school.
He also ordered the authority to return fees that parents had already paid.
School Was Created to Be Completely Free
Sheikh Sultan explained that Sudan Private School was established to help Sudanese families who could not afford to enrol their children in other schools in Sharjah.
The school was intended to provide education completely free of charge.
According to the Sharjah Ruler, the government took responsibility for the teachers and the school’s operations so families would not have to shoulder the cost.
However, some fees described as “nominal” were later collected from parents.
Sheikh Sultan said even a small fee can be difficult for a family struggling financially.
He therefore instructed SPEA not to collect any fees, whether large or small.
Parents Who Already Paid Will Get Their Money Back
The order does not only remove future fees.
Sheikh Sultan also instructed SPEA to refund the amounts already collected from Sudanese parents.
The issue was raised after a Sudanese parent contacted Sharjah’s “Direct Line” programme.
The parent said families had been asked to pay school fees and that some certificates were being held until previous and current fees were settled.
Sheikh Sultan responded by making clear that Sudan Private School was meant to remain free for eligible Sudanese families.
Sharjah Ruler Says He Personally Follows the School
Sheikh Sultan said he continues to monitor the school’s operations closely.
He explained that teachers are also evaluated to maintain the quality of education given to pupils.
Teachers who need improvement may receive training and development, while those who fail to meet expectations may be removed.
The order comes as Sharjah begins the 2026–2027 academic year.
Private schools in the emirate welcomed students back on August 31, with more than 204,000 pupils enrolled across Sharjah’s private education system.
