UAE school fee hike disrupts expat budgets; rush for fees

The rise in school fees in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has created financial strain for expatriate families, coinciding with challenges like high housing costs and increased daily necessities prices. Families with multiple children are seeking additional funds, prompting some to explore transferring their children to lower-fee schools. However, the surge in applicants has made it challenging to secure admission in such schools. The cost of living has been steadily increasing, with rent hikes and inflated prices for essential goods, adding to expatriates’ financial stress. Despite these challenges, expatriate families note that salaries have not increased in several years.

Some families are struggling to make ends meet, resorting to cutting back on food and leisure activities. The school fee hike, coupled with additional expenses like bus fees, uniforms, and books, has added a financial burden of Rs 15,000 per child. Families with three children face an extra half a lakh of rupees annually, emphasizing the strain on single-income households. Parents express dissatisfaction with schools, accusing them of prioritizing fee hikes over improving educational quality and facilities. Many students resort to private tutoring, as some teachers struggle with subjects like math and science.

The high cost of tuition drives many to opt for online tutoring, though some criticize schools for taking credit for students’ achievements through this method. Economic challenges lead some families to consider sending relatives back home by March. Many families are discontinuing enrollment due to financial constraints. The government allows fee increases based on school performance in quality inspections, with a proportional increase approved for categories like Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak, and Very Weak. However, dissatisfaction arises from Sharjah Emirate’s refusal to permit fee hikes for schools in poor categories.