Several schools across the nation, particularly those with lower tuition fees, have experienced a surge in last-minute enrollment applications. Some institutions are operating around the clock, while others are initiating additional classes to cope with the heightened demand.
"Last-minute enrollments usually see a sharp rise as the new academic year draws near," explained Sahar El Gayyar, the director of admissions & community relations at Next Generation School Dubai. "To handle this influx, we are prolonging our working hours, optimizing the enrollment process, and enlisting extra help from our support and administrative teams."
Most students in the UAE will return to school on Monday, August 26, following a seven-week summer break. For some, this marks the beginning of a new academic year, while for others, it continues the previous year that started in April.
Sahar noted that such a last-minute rush for enrollments is quite typical. "It often results from families relocating to the area or making late decisions," she stated. "We strive to accommodate the sudden increase in applications, though we cannot always secure placements as many grade levels are already full. We sometimes open extra classes to meet the high demand, especially in the early years program."
At the Hope English School in Sharjah, staff have been working tirelessly to manage the influx of new enrollments. "Of the 295 new enrollments, we received the most requests for lower grades," said admissions officer Alice. "Many of these students have moved to the UAE from abroad, and the complexity of the documentation process is a significant challenge for us."
For many parents, the return to school period entails a substantial financial burden. Niggat Abbas, a parent based in Sharjah, has spent over Dh25,000 this week alone. "I have three children in school and college," she explained. "The back-to-school season is one of the most costly. We attempted to negotiate a payment plan with both the school and university. The school declined, but fortunately, the university accepted, which has been a great relief."
She mentioned that she and her husband are cutting back on every expense. "We are now seeking second-hand books to avoid buying new ones," she said. "We have also bought uniforms from a cheaper independent store. For stationery and other items, we are hunting for good bargains."
Divya P., whose children attend a British curriculum school, is sourcing textbooks from India. "I have two children, and I can save about Dh3,000 on their textbooks by ordering from India," she noted. "As soon as the book list was released, I placed an order. Next week, my brother will bring the books when he visits Dubai."
The demand for more affordable schools has risen, as evidenced by Mohammed Iqbal's recent decision to transfer his children to a less expensive school. "I was paying around Dh55,000 per year for both kids, which was nearly my limit," he shared. "Upon hearing about the school fee increase, I began looking for alternatives."
For this academic year, he enrolled his children in a school with annual fees of Dh30,000, which includes books and uniforms. "I am saving about 50 percent on school fees, which is significant. I hope my children adjust well to the new school," he said.
Earlier this week, Gems Education, the UAE's largest private school operator, announced the popularity of their Founders School model, with average fees of about Dh30,000. The group plans to open two new branches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai South. "At the recent Open Day, we had thousands of parents attend," said deputy CEO Dr. Saima Rana.
