Many parents in the UAE are increasingly opting for online platforms to provide extracurricular activities for their children, such as music, dance, languages, and sports. For budget-conscious families, this is a cost-effective solution, as in-person classes in the UAE can be prohibitively expensive, often costing several thousand dirhams per child per term. Additionally, parents highlight that online classes offer the flexibility for children to learn from any convenient location, provide scheduling ease, and eliminate the hassle of managing drop-offs and pick-ups to physical learning centers.
American expat Naeema Zaki shared, “My 7-year-old son takes Quran classes from Pakistan, and my daughters, aged 11 and 12, take Quran classes from Egypt. Previously, I paid about Dh1,500 per month for face-to-face Quran lessons for all three kids, but now it’s about half that amount, all from the comfort of our home.” Naeema also noted that home tutors often charge extra for transportation, adding to the overall cost. “The payment method is straightforward through bank transfer, and the timings are flexible. It saves us the trouble of dropping off and picking up the children from in-person classes, which is particularly challenging for working parents.”
Chayanika Baruah mentioned, “My daughter has been learning art for over two years from a teacher in Indore, and I pay Rs2,000 per month, which is less than Dh100. If I were to enroll her in a music school in Dubai, it would easily cost around Dh500 per month or more. This alternative is more affordable. I also want her to receive some vocal training in music.” Parents appreciate that online platforms offer access to specialized teachers from around the world, providing a wide range of resources and allowing children to learn different styles or techniques.
Many online classes provide one-on-one feedback from professionals, helping kids refine their skills. Comfortable environment Many parents believe that online learning helps children become self-disciplined and develop time management skills. Divisha Modi, whose son is in Year 4 at Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (DIA EH), said, “A couple of years ago, my son was learning chess online through a well-known academy in India. He had two sessions per week, and I only paid Dh500 for three months, which worked out to just Dh20 per class. In contrast, enrolling in an on-site class at a good chess academy here can cost over Dh150 per session, with each class lasting only 45 minutes. Moreover, I noticed positive changes in him during that time.”
Modi noted that learning from home can provide a comfortable environment, especially for younger children who may feel shy in physical classes. “The online academy was very professional and followed a structured syllabus. However, my son stopped attending after a few years. Now that he’s older, and after his homeroom teacher introduced chess during class breaks, he’s regained interest and plays better than many of his classmates since he had learned it earlier. I plan to restart those online classes soon. Instead of spending time on his iPad, he shows a strong interest in playing chess with either me or his father during his free time.”
In contrast, many university students from the UAE currently studying abroad prefer to take online classes from the emirates, paying in dirhams rather than euros. Hasti Motevasel, who is studying fashion in Milan, prefers learning online yoga from an instructor based in the emirate. The 22-year-old Iranian expat added, “Since I could choose morning sessions, I can practice before my college day starts. It’s also been super convenient, financially, paying in dirhams. Saving on transportation costs has been a big relief, especially in comparison to spending euros here. It’s my way to disconnect from the chaos of fashion school. It brings balance and focus to my day, while also allowing me to manage stress healthily.”
