From uniforms to extracurriculars, UAE parents reveal the true cost of a new school year.
With schools across the UAE set to reopen on August 31, parents are not only preparing their children for the new academic year but also gearing up for the expenses that come with it. ([turn0news1]) Tuition remains the biggest cost for most families, but uniforms, books, stationery, transport, devices, meals, activities and school trips can quickly add hundreds or even thousands of dirhams to the annual bill.
Tuition is typically the largest education expense, but it is only part of the overall bill. Uniforms, books, stationery, transport, devices, meals, extracurricular activities and school trips can add thousands of dirhams to a family’s annual spending.
For families with more than one child, these additional costs can quickly multiply, making early budgeting particularly important.
Pakistani expat Nighat Abbas, whose four daughters are in school and university, estimates that the family spends around Dh8,000 to Dh10,000 on non-tuition costs, including uniforms, books and transport.
“With tuition fee, the back-to-school expenses are my husband’s two months’ salary. But without the tuition fees, we need around Dh8,000-Dh10,000 for non-tuition stuff for four children,” she said.
Where the back-to-school bill grows
For many UAE families, back-to-school spending extends well beyond tuition, with uniforms, technology, transport, activities and other recurring costs quickly adding up.
Pakistani expat Nighat Abbas, whose four daughters are in school and university, estimates that her family needs Dh8,000 to Dh10,000 for non-tuition expenses such as uniforms, books and transport.
Three of her daughters use public transport, while the youngest takes the school bus. Fee payment schedules can also affect household cash flow, with two children’s fees paid monthly and two paid quarterly.
For other parents, uniforms are among the first expenses to surface. British expat Emma Caldwell spent Dh456 on her son’s uniform and PE kit, followed by Dh200 for school shoes and Dh50 for socks. Her family also had to spend around Dh3,000 replacing an ageing iPad.
Caldwell said families with two children could easily spend Dh1,500 per child on uniforms alone, particularly when buying multiple sets.
The distinction between essential purchases and replacements can make a significant difference. Caldwell avoided buying a new school bag, lunch box and water bottle because the existing items were still in good condition.
Matthew Burfield, Executive Principal/CEO of GEMS Founders School – Dubai and Executive Vice President – Education at GEMS Education, said schools generally separate compulsory costs from optional expenses.
Compulsory costs can include tuition, uniforms, books, stationery and learning resources, while transport, meals, extracurricular activities, enrichment programmes and educational trips are typically optional. Older students may also face examination fees, specialist materials, university preparation activities, overseas trips and graduation costs.
Costs parents may overlook
Lisa Johnson, Superintendent at American Academy for Girls, said personal preferences and peer pressure can also push up spending. Items such as branded backpacks, pencil cases and stationery may cost significantly more than basic alternatives.
Other optional expenses can include extracurricular activities, trips, photographs, carnivals, special events and materials for school projects.
Schools are increasingly looking for ways to ease some of these costs. Dubai British School, for example, has introduced measures including a more flexible footwear policy and second-hand uniform sales. The school also recommends that parents initially buy only essential uniform items before adding more once they know their child’s timetable.
Technology can represent another major expense. From Year 4, the school operates a bring-your-own-device programme requiring students to have a 10th- or 11th-generation iPad, while secondary students also need a Yondr pouch for mobile phones.
Transport is another recurring expense. Noufal Ahmed, Founder and MD of Woodlem Education, said monthly school transport fees generally range from Dh250 to Dh400, depending on the route and service requirements.
How parents can plan ahead
Financial educator Marilyn L. Pinto recommends treating education as an annual household expense rather than focusing only on tuition payments.
Parents should account for transport, uniforms, books, devices, meals, examination fees, trips, extracurricular activities and smaller costs such as photographs, activity days, costumes and school events.
Reviewing the previous 12 months of spending can provide a more realistic basis for budgeting than relying solely on published school fees.
Pinto recommends estimating the likely additional costs for the year, dividing the total by 12 and setting aside that amount each month. A family expecting Dh12,000 in additional education expenses, for example, could save Dh1,000 a month.
Parents should also distinguish between what is essential and what is optional. Overseas trips, additional activities or a new device may be valuable, but they do not necessarily need to fit into every family’s budget.
For families with several children, planning becomes even more important as expenses overlap and children move into more expensive year groups. The key question is not only whether the family can afford the current school year, but also what education is likely to cost over the next three to five years.
