ROSHIN GEORGE
Although “back to school” shopping had been a big event for parents and children in the UAE in pre-pandemic times, this year it does not seem to have the usual fervour or excitement. Shops are promoting the shopping season but parents this time are being more cautious.
For one, the continuity with distance learning for the first term at least means that there is no urgency to rush to shops and school stores looking for text books, notebooks, school shoes, socks and uniforms.
Parents who have learnt to tighten their belts are adjusting budgets on school needs too since they are getting a clearer picture about how schools will operate and how classes will take place, when schools all over the country open on August 30 virtually or physically.
A recent back-to-school YouGov survey indicated that over 93 per cent of parents will consider purchasing at least one item to prepare their kids for school this year; 53 per cent of parents prefer physical and online stores to buy school supplies; 26 per cent prefer only physical stores, while 18 per cent prefer online stores.
Mathew P., father of two children in an Indian school, said: “My children’s school offer flexibility in uniforms and books. My son has been using the same set of uniforms for the past two years, and this year we may not need to worry about spending on them immediately. My younger child uses the textbooks of her older sibling who is one class above her, so I save on textbooks. Only notebooks we have had to buy new for them. This year, I think I don’t need to spend on anything new right now. That will be a huge saving this year as Sharjah schools will provide online learning for the first two weeks. Only if the situation improves, we will see children going to schools.”
Many parents like him are not considering buying the school uniform in the near future. This is a big saving at least for now. Uniforms that remained unused for one full term since March when classes moved online can be used in the new term or whenever onsite classes resume. School uniforms are not compulsory for virtual classes in most schools, and students need only wear smart casuals.
Mathew remembers that a previous school his children went to changed textbooks every year making it necessary to buy for each ward. CBSE schools allow NCERT-approved books by any publisher until Grade 9.
Sheena John, whose attends the primary section of an Indian school in Dubai, has generally relied on hand-me-downs from senior kids in the matter of textbooks. She plans to do some last-minute purchases of notebooks which can be procured from certain shops in the city. For new purchases, the family opts for the more affordable shops.
The YouGov report noted that nearly seven in 10 respondents purchased electronic gadgets to facilitate e-learning for their children. Shops selling electronics have witnessed an increased rush from parents. With multiple members in each home learning and working simultaneously, many have felt the need to procure a gadget for the child as well as the parent so that everyone has their own device.
Some parents have had to spend on headphones, power bank, printer apart from tablets and laptops.
Indian expat in Sharjah, Meera G., a work-from-home professional and a mother of two, said: “We purchased a second laptop since both children needed one and it wasn’t all that easy for them studying from smartphones. Since the school uses Microsoft Teams for the online classes, some subjects especially Science subjects were difficult to do from the phone. I was juggling my laptop with one of them while another tarried with a smartphone. An extra laptop has been a breather though it has made us poorer by Dh4,000. But it has made class hours less tense for all of us.”
Preetha O., who took admission for her daughter in the kindergarten of a K12 school, had been initially confused when the school asked to pay the term fees. She has since then paid the fees and opted for online classes. While she has bought all school accessories and books, she has also invested in a new study table and chair.
As per the report, 65 per cent of parents surveyed are likely to buy health and hygiene products such as hand sanitiser and masks, followed by stationery items and uniforms. “These are unusual times, hence masks and sanitisers top the shopping list,” noted Mathew.
Some parents pointed out that a few back-to-school supplies are necessary to keep their wards motivated for the new school year after the long hiatus at home.
