UAE: Some residents save hundreds of dirhams on kids' extra classes, activities

Many parents in the UAE are turning to online platforms for extracurricular activities, allowing their children to learn music, dance, languages, or even sports.

Budget-conscious families find this a cost-effective alternative, as in-person classes for such activities in the UAE can be extremely expensive, often costing several thousand dirhams per child every term.

Additionally, parents emphasised that online classes for extracurricular activities offer the freedom for children to learn from any convenient location, provide flexibility, and eliminate the need for managing the logistics of drop-offs and pick-ups to physical learning centres.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

American expat Naeema Zaki said, “My son who is 7 years old takes Quran classes from Pakistan and my daughters, who are 11 and 12, take Quran classes from Egypt. I used to pay about Dh1,500 per month for face-to-face Quran lessons for all three kids and now it’s about half this amount for all three, and from the comfort of my own home.”

She also mentioned that home tutors charge extra for transportation, adding to the overall cost.

“The payment method is really easily done through bank transfer, and timings are flexible. It saves us the trouble of dropping off and picking up children from in-person classes, which is a problem especially for working parents.”

Specialised teachers, courses

Chayanika Baruah said, “My daughter has been learning art for over two years from a teacher based in Indore, and I pay Rs2,000 per month, which is less than Dh100. If I were to enrol her in a music school, either at her current school or an academy in Dubai, it would easily cost around Dh500 per month or more. We found this alternative to be more affordable. I also want her to receive some vocal training in music.”

Parents pointed out that online platforms also offer access to specialised teachers from around the world, with a wide range of resources allowing children to learn different styles or techniques.

“Previously, she learnt an Assamese classical dance form called ‘Sattriya Nritya’ online, which is also quite affordable. It’s considered to be a source of pride for people of our community, as it showcases the finest techniques of all Indian classical dances. However, she had to discontinue it after six months due to a scheduling conflict with her school hours here,” added Baruah.

Many online classes offer one-on-one feedback from professionals, helping kids refine their skills.

Comfortable environment

Many said online learning helps children become self-disciplined and also helps 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.”

• Dubai: Meet the Japanese restaurant owner who provides free education to his staff