Yemen Private School Fee Disputes Disrupt Classes as Families Face Rising Costs

TAIZ, Yemen — Disputes over school fees have disrupted classes at several private schools in Yemen’s Taiz governorate. The dispute has added to the pressure on families already struggling with high living costs.

Local authorities have tried to control tuition fees for the 2026–2027 school year. They say the rules aim to protect parents from sudden increases and extra charges.

However, some private schools have rejected the fee limits. They say the approved fees do not cover their running costs. These costs include staff salaries, school facilities and daily operations.

Fee dispute affects the school year

A report by Al-Mahriah Net said some private schools in Taiz had suspended classes over the dispute. Other schools had reopened after agreeing to keep fees at last year’s level.

The report also said fees at some private schools ranged from around 200,000 to 500,000 Yemeni riyals per student. The amount varies between schools and education levels.

The dispute shows the challenge facing local authorities. They must protect families from sharp fee increases while also keeping private schools open.

Families struggle to pay for education

The pressure extends beyond Taiz. Many families across Yemen struggle to pay for uniforms, notebooks, transport and school fees.

Arab News reported in September that parents in Al-Mukalla faced rising costs as the new school year began. One family needed about 200,000 Yemeni riyals for clothes, school supplies and fees for four children.

The family could not afford the full amount. The parents asked their children to reuse clothes and other supplies from previous years.

Falling incomes and high prices have made these costs harder to manage. Some parents must choose between education and other basic needs.

Conflict keeps children out of school

Yemen’s wider education crisis adds to the problem. Years of conflict have damaged schools and weakened public services.

Save the Children reported in August 2026 that nearly two-thirds of children surveyed across four districts in southern Yemen were out of school. The survey covered areas in Aden, Lahj and Taiz.

The group said 32 per cent of the children surveyed had never enrolled in school. A further quarter had left school and needed support to return.

The findings cover the surveyed districts. They should not be treated as a national estimate for all children in Yemen.

Teachers and schools face their own challenges

Private schools also face rising operating costs. At the same time, many public-school teachers have struggled with low or delayed salaries.

These problems can affect the quality and stability of education. Schools need trained teachers, basic supplies and reliable funding to keep classes running.

Families also need clear information about tuition fees before they enrol their children. Sudden increases can make it difficult for parents to plan their budgets.

A difficult choice for parents

Yemen’s school fee dispute highlights a wider problem. Families need affordable education, while schools need enough income to operate.

Local authorities must apply fee rules in a clear and fair way. Schools should explain their costs and give parents clear details of all charges.

Without a workable solution, more families may struggle to keep their children in school. The impact could last long after the current school year ends.

The challenge for Yemen is not only to reopen classrooms. It is to make sure children can afford to stay in them.