New partnerships are enabling UAE schools to offer monthly tuition payment plans, helping parents spread education costs over time and easing the burden of upfront fee payments.
Schools across the UAE are increasingly adopting more flexible tuition payment structures as parents move away from large upfront fee payments in favour of monthly instalments.
The shift is being supported by partnerships with fintech platforms such as Tabby, aimed at integrating instalment-based payment options into school systems. The arrangement is intended to streamline fee collection for institutions while giving parents greater budget flexibility and more predictable monthly expenses.
Zarik Nabi, Chief Commercial Officer at Tabby, explained that many families are already managing heavy education-related expenses and often making financial compromises to keep up.
“Families across the UAE are already carefully managing education expenses—shuffling budgets, planning ahead, and making necessary trade-offs,” said Zarik Nabi. “We are providing schools with the infrastructure to make this easier for parents, giving them a way to stay in control without the stress of paying everything upfront.”
Relief for families under financial strain
Abhilasha Singh, Principal at Shining Star International School, said the initiative offers meaningful support to families facing financial pressure, particularly those impacted by job losses or salary reductions.
“With options like Tabby, parents can manage fees through monthly payment plans, which makes budgeting easier,” she said. “For many families, this serves as a useful financial buffer.”
However, she also pointed out that schools may encounter operational challenges. “Schools are self-sustaining systems. Fee income is reinvested into salaries, learning resources, and infrastructure maintenance. When payments are deferred or split, maintaining a stable financial flow becomes more difficult.”
She added that while supporting parents is important, long-term financial planning remains essential. “This is a positive step, but parents still need to plan for their obligations. Financial planning is key to avoiding disruptions in a child’s education. That’s why we regularly conduct financial literacy programmes for parents,” she said.
Schools seek balance between flexibility and stability
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal at Credence High School, said schools are increasingly acknowledging that financial access should not become a barrier to education.
“We have always believed that affordability should never stand in the way of a child’s education, which is why we already offer flexible payment options,” she said.
“Parents can choose monthly, semester-based, or annual payments depending on what suits their circumstances.”
She added that well-structured instalment systems can significantly reduce financial stress for families, especially around fee deadlines, noting that a large percentage of parents in the UAE feel financial pressure.
Welcoming industry-wide initiatives, she emphasised that flexibility must go hand in hand with transparency and trust between schools and parents.
“At the end of the day, our role goes beyond academics. It includes ensuring that the overall school experience—including financial planning—is supportive, dignified, and stress-free for every parent who entrusts us with their child’s education.”
