Expense of school uniforms detailed: Breakdown of costs and strategies employed by UAE parents to cut costs
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), school uniform costs tend to be higher than in many other countries, placing the UAE among the more expensive educational uniform markets globally. The typical cost of a basic uniform set is around 600 AED (about $160 USD), with full annual expenses reaching nearly 5,000 AED (about $1,360 USD) when including items like shoes, blazers, bags, and seasonal clothing[1].
Parents in the UAE report that uniform prices can vary significantly depending on the supplier and emirate. For instance, buying from school suppliers in Dubai may cost about 100 AED per clothing item, whereas outside Dubai, such as Sharjah, similar quality uniforms can be found for about half the price (around 50 AED per item)[2]. Despite these price variations, the overall cost burden remains notable and often part of the household budget pressure.
To mitigate costs, parents in the UAE shop outside their school’s designated suppliers, across emirates, buy second-hand, or time purchases to sales[2][3]. Some even rely on community WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, or school sales to source pre-loved school items.
Several schools in the UAE are taking steps to reduce costs and promote sustainability. Dubai schools now allow parents to buy from external vendors, provided the items match the required design. Uniform swap programmes organized by schools are also helping to reduce costs and waste. Buying accessories and non-logo basics from hypermarkets can be a cost-effective option, as long as they match school color and style guidelines.
Tailors in the UAE can produce replicas of school uniforms, including embroidered logos, at a lower cost than official stores. GEMS American Academy - Abu Dhabi is taking a collaborative approach that puts students' comfort and preferences first, involving students in the design process. The school also hosts a uniform drive at the end of each school year for parents to donate and exchange outgrown items.
International comparisons show UAE parents may shoulder higher costs than many abroad. In the US, K-12 shoppers are budgeting $253 (about Dh923) per child for clothing and accessories. In the UK, primary students' uniforms cost around £287 (Dh1,355), and secondary students' uniforms cost around £422 (Dh1,992).
Principals like Lisa Johnson, Principal of American Academy for Girls, believe uniforms promote a sense of belonging, reduce social pressures, and help students focus on learning. Schools in the UAE require a mandatory uniform set for grades K-11, which can cost around Dh600, covering shirts, pants or skirts, PE attire, and a jacket.
It is crucial that schools disclose uniform costs transparently to parents before the start of the school year and consult their families when making changes to uniforms to ensure community feedback is considered. By taking these steps, schools can help alleviate the financial burden on parents while maintaining the importance of a uniform policy.
References:
[1] ABC News [2] The National [3] Khaleej Times
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