UAE | Education
Overpriced school supplies takes a big chunk out of monthly budget, says family in UAE
With almost everything increasing in cost from rent to basic commodities, parents are starting to feel the pinch of overpriced school supplies.
- By Manuel Almario, Community Journalist
- Published: 23:42 August 21, 2008
- It is sad to limit children to learn other things due to the high price of school materials. Imagine a school uniform costs Dh1,200 for a complete set says Shafelyn Chu and her family, Gulf News reader, Dubai
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Dubai: The school vacation is almost over and parents are crying out to be given a break.
With almost everything increasing in cost from rent to basic commodities, parents are starting to feel the pinch of overpriced school supplies.
Parents told Gulf News that it was a heavy burden.
A Filipino family in the UAE share their experiences. Shafelyn Chu, who works as an accounts manager at a Montessori school and Zekundo Chu, a store worker has three children.
Their eldest, Santiago Enrique, is seven-years-old and in grade three. Their second child, Santos Manuel, is four years old and in nursery, while the youngest, month-old Santan Antheia is in day care.
Shafelyn has lived in Dubai for 12 years, while Zekundo has been in Dubai for 15 years.
Basic needs
Shafelyn said: "The increased price of school supplies is taking a big chunk out of our monthly family budget. It is taking away from other basic needs such as clothing, medicine, housing, food and even transport.
"My boys love to draw and paint and they often ask for drawing paper. I used to buy good quality paper, notebooks, pencils and crayons for a very reasonable price, but now the prices have increased by more than 20 per cent."
The children love reading books but even these have increased in price.
She said: "It is sad to limit these children to learn other things due to the high price of school materials. Imagine a school uniform costs Dh1,200 for a complete set. The price of school bags has shot up by 150 per cent. For a pair of good quality shoes you have to spend more than Dh150!"
Shafelyn is a smart buyer. She goes to a wholesale market and buys in bulk and stocks school supplies for the entire year.
"In July, we went to the wholesale market in Deira, to make use of big discounts. They offer various promotions and marked down prices especially for bulk orders."
We keep a stock of school materials for one year, it helps save a lot, she added.
Shafelyn suggested the government regulate the cost of school supplies.
She said: "The Ministry of Education has regulated the increase in tuition fees to 16 per cent this year. It should also control the prices of school supplies. Then, the retailers will not increase the prices anytime they wish to. School books, notebooks and uniforms should be subsidised."
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Prices of school supplies 'too high'
Rise in price of school supplies sends Dubai parents reeling
-
Some bus fares have tripled
Some bus fares have tripled
-
Education zone gets support hotline
Hotline to resolve issues in educational zone
More from UAE Education
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- UAE rejects Israeli colonies
- Teens smoking secretly, unchecked
- Right cut for diabetes respite
- Sweet shops to provide delicious treats
- Eid Al Adha: Duty and sacrifice
- Hospital's diabetes awareness programme extended
- Khalifa receives greetings on Eid
- Court acquits maid of theft charge
- Teenager jailed after having sex with minor
- Transit passenger jailed for drug smuggling
- Transport authority launches 'no to accidents' campaign
- Slew of celebration plans
- No decision on ex-Syrian intelligence officer
- Retailers reap rewards of Eid shopping
- Ex-Syrian intelligence officer won't be extradited
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
