School uniforms - just how costly are they?

Dubai - When Khaleej Times spoke to parents here, a big bug bear was the cost of school uniforms.

The cost of schooling is a subject which never gets old in the UAE. But aside from hefty tuition fees, many parents feel cornered into digging even deeper when it comes to extra costs like school trips, transport and uniforms.
Find out for yourself: How UAE parents manage school budget
A survey earlier this year reported that some expatriate parents are spending as much as Dh550,000 in fees throughout a child's schooling life.
And when Khaleej Times spoke to parents here, a big bug bear was the cost of school uniforms.
Must read: Column: School uniforms here to stay, but should be affordable
British mum DR has two daughters, aged 12 and 16. Aside from their annual tuition fee which sets her back between Dh74,000 and Dh80,000 a year, she is spending a further Dh3,000+ on uniforms, per child.
"We have had to purchase entire new uniforms three years in a row now. That's because the school changed the uniform colour, and another year it decided to change the supplier and style."
Surprising: Educating your child can cost up to Dh1.5 millon in UAE
Although she tries to buy as few as possible, DR still ends up purchasing three pairs of trousers/skirts (Dh80 each) five shirts (Dh82 each) and two jumpers (Dh110 each) among others, each year.
If the opportunity arose to abolish uniforms, DR said she would jump at it.
For mother of two, NMV, her average yearly spend on uniforms is between Dh2,500 and Dh3,000.
"That's an additional Dh6,000 each year for both kids," she said.
With a strict policy in her children's school which requires all female students to have certain items in tow, she said the value for money aspect is just not worth it.
"The quality is not worth the price, but I can't see uniforms being abolished here."
Speaking to Khaleej Times, parent Kubra Wajid said uniform suppliers are cashing in here.
For her two children, her average expenditure on uniforms (per child, each year) is Dh1,400. But this can rise.
"The uniform gets changed when students move from kindergarten to primary classes, so that impacts on costs for parents," she said.
To help reduce the uniform costs, Wajid said schools could remove rules around shoes with school logos; implement rules where design of the school uniform cannot be changed often; have simple uniforms free from accessories like belts and ties; and use darker shades for better maintenance.
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Some schools here are implementing various fee options to help lighten the monetary burden on parents.
Gems schools have a fee plan where parents can choose to pay in monthly, quarterly and annual terms.
And additionally it has introduced the 'Refer-A-Friend' programme, where parent recommendations are rewarded with exclusive discounts on fees.
At Greenfield Community School, Dubai, Principal Andy Wood said parents spend an average of Dh1,500 on uniforms each year.
But those making use of uniforms for more than one year in a row spend about Dh600 per child on additional items, yearly.
"Many do make use of the second hand uniform shop to save costs too," he said.
Top tips to reduce uniform costs
> Check social media. Platforms such as Facebook selling groups in your local area are great ways to grab bargains from parents keen to declutter old uniforms.
> Just ask. Check with your school reception because many schools ask parents to donate pre-loved, pre-used uniforms at year-end.
> Let out the hems. Lengthening and shortening hems is a useful skill to have, and can mean that you can get more wear out of one item.
> Check school discount policy. Many schools offer incentives for discounts, so take full advantage of this and contact them directly.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com 

• Column: School uniforms here to stay, but should be affordable

• How UAE parents manage school budget

• UAE