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UAE parents speak: Why are they paying out for private tutors?

it seems although money plays a small part in private tuition decision-making, building the foundations for a better education the driving force, and most importantly, priceless.

As the UAE moves away from oil revenues, its focus now is on education, healthcare and tourism. With education at the forefront of this revenue drive, it is in turn encouraging increase in private tuition trends.
Find out: How do Dubai parents choose a school for their children
For father Sundaragopal Sundaresh, there is no shame in hiring a tutor for his son. "Till today we have not used private tutor. However, we feel it will be necessary to have private tutor to cope up with the increase in pressure to score more marks by additional coaching."
Read on: The rise of private tutoring
But when it comes to costs, he said it is something they will tackle at the time. "Pricing will come into play nearer the time, but we will still go ahead with it, no matter what."
For Bernadette Finn, a Math tutor was a welcome relief for her child a few years ago.
Is it: Private tuition: That little extra push for students
"My daughter was about 11 at the time and although she wasn't struggling in the subject, the tutor really built her confidence. We paid around Dh150 an hour, but that was a few years ago, and she took lessons once a week."
And student, Sharafa Zahir Hassan of Murdoch University Dubai, has also had first-hand experience of private tuition.
Do you feel the burden: How much homework are parents doing?
"Private tutoring helps students understand better as they are personally given attention by the tutor. Yes, I have taken private tuitions in the past in Math and Science. I paid around Dh400 per month only."
So it seems although money plays a small part in private tuition decision-making, building the foundations for a better education the driving force, and most importantly, priceless.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com