Tuition for 4 Year Old Program

Rob Ambrogi

No Date

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I thank all 18 headnet members who replied to my request about 4-yr old programs.

In summary:

1. All (but one) of the schools do not receive payments from USG for their 4-year old programs, regardless of what they call them (KG1, pre-primary, prep-junior, prep, etc.).

2. Only one American/International school received payment from US Embassy for its 4-yr. old program. That school also was deemed to be the only school in town whose tuition payments would be subsidized by USG and oil companies. So in that town, the British schools were at a disadvantage.

3. Besides my school, Islamabad, only one other school had a competing British 4-yr. old program that was paid for by USG. In that country, the British program was 1/2 day and the American program was full-day, a situation that is even more confusing than mine. In both countries, someone at the US embassy in a position to make the call, decided to rule that the British 4-yr old "reception" program was equal to the US Kindergarten program -- despite the fact that in both countries, the US school does not accept students leaving the "reception" class into US first grade (they enter Kindergarten).

4. In all other countries with competing British schools, the USG does not pay for 4-yr old programs in the British system (reception class).

5. The accumulated memories of some of our retired colleagues echoed the belief that the USG does not pay for 4-yr old pre-kdgt education, regardless of what it is called.

6. Niall Nelson received an award for the most creative and memorable answer (interested readers should contact me directly for a copy).

I have been in communication with the Office of Overseas Schools to get a wider, official perspective. They are apparently looking into it as I write. It has been a local post decision in the past, it appears. If any other schools read this summary and want to add to this report, I would welcome the added weight additional responses may give to the sampling.

Thanks again for the responses and interest and have a restful and productive break.

Rob Ambrogi, Superintendent

International School of Islamabad

ambrogi@isb.compol.com

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