Parents share how budgeting, school support, and financial planning help them manage education expenses.
Dubai: For many families across the UAE, school fees remain one of the most significant household expenses, with parents carefully planning their finances to ensure their children continue to receive quality education.
From tuition and transport costs to books and uniforms, education-related expenses require careful budgeting. While some families say managing these costs has become more challenging in the current climate, many parents are adapting by prioritising essential spending, planning ahead, and valuing schools that offer flexible and supportive policies.
Every family’s experience is different, but a common priority for parents remains unchanged: investing in their children’s future.
Careful budgeting
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Deepak Khatri, parent of a Grade 2 student, said rising living expenses have pushed his family to plan their finances more carefully while continuing to prioritise education.
“Along with tuition, there are other additional expenses like transportation, books, uniforms, and daily needs, so budgeting everything together requires extra planning,” Khatri said.
To manage expenses more smoothly, his family has reduced non-essential spending, focused on necessities, and begun planning monthly budgets in advance.
“We also try to save more and look for flexible payment options whenever possible.”
Understanding and flexibility
For Sameen Fatima, a parent of a Grade 1 student, schools in the UAE continue to provide quality education and safe learning environments.
She said that collaboration between schools and parents can make a meaningful difference for families managing their finances carefully.
“During extraordinary situations such as wars, pandemics, or financial crises, schools and parents need to work together with greater understanding and flexibility so that children’s education does not suffer,” Fatima explained.
Moreover, she mentioned that balancing rent, utility bills, and other household expenses along with school fees can sometimes become difficult for families.
“Unfortunately, we had no option but to withdraw our daughter because we were unable to pay her fees.”
According to Fatima, support measures such as flexible payment plans, temporary fee reductions, and scholarships can help families continue their children’s education during challenging periods.
“These foundational years are extremely important for a child’s future, and no child should miss out on education because of circumstances beyond their control.”
Supportive schools
Ami Rasheed, a parent of children in Grades 10 and 5, said that supportive school policies have helped her family manage education expenses more comfortably.
“Fortunately, we are not currently facing major challenges in terms of school fee payments. There has never been unnecessary pressure regarding fee payments, which is something we truly appreciate as parents,” Rasheed shared.
Additionally, she underscored that the school has remained accommodating even during occasional payment delays, helping reduce stress for parents managing multiple financial commitments.
Rasheed also expressed her appreciation for the recent transport fee adjustment introduced by the school, where only around 30% of the April transport fee was charged based on actual student attendance on campus.
“Such practical and parent-friendly measures reflect the school’s understanding of the realities faced by families.”
Planning ahead
Rakhi PV, a parent of children in Grades 11 and 7, said many families are becoming more mindful of spending and prioritising key commitments such as education.
“At the moment, it is becoming very difficult to manage school fees because of uncertainties affecting many families. School tuition and transportation fees together take up a significant portion of our monthly budget. At the same time, rents are not coming down, and in many cases families are facing rent increases of around 5 to 10 percent,” PV said.
To cope, her family has reduced expenses and prioritised essentials while carefully managing their finances.
“We are planning our monthly budget very carefully and trying to prioritise important commitments, especially our children’s education.”
Education remains a top priority
Despite financial pressures, parents across the UAE say education remains one of the most important investments in their children’s future.
Many families are adapting through careful financial planning, budgeting, and closer coordination with schools to ensure children continue learning in a stable and supportive environment, regardless of circumstances.
