School-mandated winter wear too expensive, say parents

As schools reopen on Monday after a three-week-long winter break, parents in the UAE are not very pleased about the added burden of purchasing expensive winter-specific uniforms.

- Nandini Sircar

The high price of school-branded winter wear is considered unnecessary for a brief cold season, prompting parents to look for alternative ways to keep their children warm as temperatures drop.

While these expenses may not heavily impact some families' budgets, many argue that after spending around Dh2,000 on school uniforms and supplies at the start of the academic year, any additional costs for winter-specific uniforms are unwelcome.

These extra costs weigh more, particularly when children quickly outgrow their clothes and winter in the country is short-lived.

British expat Sally Maddison, whose children are in Grade 1 and KG1, said: "We bring all our winter clothes from the UK, stocking up every summer. However, I do not like woollen clothing as I find them itchy. We prefer hoodies, long trousers, and long-sleeved tops for winter wear. School uniforms are expensive, especially since kids often lose their hoodies.

"Therefore, I label all their uniforms with their names. At Fairgreen School in Sustainable City, where my daughter and my son go, school-branded hoodies cost Dh115 each, which adds up quickly when replacements are needed. Trousers are also available, and parents can opt for those during the winter months, but they also come at a similar premium."

While some turn to community WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages to find second-hand school items, they point out that getting everything pre-owned is not al ways possible.