Educational expenses are among the most important legal obligations imposed on a father. The Personal Status Law, particularly Article (190), clearly regulates this obligation to protect the child’s right to education and ensure academic and social stability.
First: Duration of the Obligation to Pay Educational Expenses
A father is legally obligated to cover his children’s educational expenses from the preparatory (kindergarten) level until completion of the first university degree, provided that the child is academically capable and qualified to continue education without serious failure or negligence.
Second: Who Has the Right to Choose the Type of Education?
The legal guardian has the right to choose the type of education (public or private), based on what best serves the child’s educational interests and family circumstances.
Third: Commitment to Private Education
If the guardian agrees to enroll the child in private education, such approval becomes binding, and the guardian may not later withdraw from or deny responsibility for covering private school expenses.
Fourth: Claiming Transportation Allowance
It is legally permissible to claim transportation costs as part of an educational expense claim, provided that transportation is necessary for the child’s regular attendance, and such costs are assessed according to distance and educational requirements.
Legal Basis
All of the above is based on Article (190) of the Personal Status Law, which confirms that educational expenses are an integral part of the legally and religiously mandated child support obligations of the father.