UAE: Some residents save hundreds of dirhams on kids extra classes
In the UAE, a large number of parents are choosing online extra-curricular activities for their kids which help them learn tasks like playing musical instruments, dancing languages or even sports.
For families with budget concerns, this option is cheaper compared to the face to face class for such activities which in the UAE are rather expensive, with terms costing thousands of dirhams per child every term.
Also, it was stressed by the parents that the distance learning classes conducted for the extra-curricular activities such as gymnastics are easy for the kids, as they can learn anywhere without the headache of being driven to and from a physical classroom.
American expatriate Ms. Naeema Zaki stated “My son who is seven years of age takes Quran classes online from Pakistan and my daughters of eleven and twelve years of age take Quran classes online from Egypt. I remember paying almost Dh1, 500 a month for in -person Quran lessons for all three kids, now it is approximately half that for all three kids and for their parents in the house."
She also stated that an additional fee is charged by the tutors for transportation to home and therefore to other additional hidden costs.
“Making a payment is quite simple as it can be done through wires just as well as the treatment is time flexible. For working parents, it alleviates the problem of taking children to and from physical classes.”
Specialized teachers, courses
In her words, Chayanika Baruah said, “My daughter has been learning art under the tutelage of an Indore-based teacher for the last two years and I pay Rs 2,000 a month to her which is less than Dh100. If I was to put her in a music school either at her current school or an academy in Dubai then it would easily come to around Dh 500 per month and upwards.
We discovered this alternative as comparatively less expensive. I also hope that she gets some voice lessons in music.” Parents pointed out the fact that even classrooms are being complimented and perhaps replaced with online platforms which not only are more attractive but that can also reach teachers from almost any corner of the globe and with enough variety of materials.
“Earlier, she did learn Assam classical dance of the form named ‘Sattriya Nritya’ virtually, which is inexpensive too. It is the pride of our community, for example, the most beautiful features of Indian classical dances are all put together in this dance form. But she had to stop it after six months because it clashed with the school hours here,” added Baruah. Many of the internet classes include professional’s attention and such feedback is given individually which helps children to achieve their goals.
Comfortable environment
There have been opinions that attending lessons via the Internet aids the children in becoming more self-motivated and also helps them gain the ability to manage time efficiently.
Divisha Modi, whose son studies Year 4 at Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (DIA EH), told, “Two years back, my son was learning chess online from one well-known academy in India. He used to have two sessions every week and I paid only for three months, which was Dh 500 for dh 20 per class. However, coming for an onsite class to a decent chess academy here costs over 150 IED per class, where each class would only last 45 minutes. And, during that period, I also saw some positive changes in him.”
Modi observed that sometimes schooling from home is less stressful and more beneficial, especially to younger children like hers, who might not always feel comfortable attending physical classes.
This was a highly credible online institution, with each student dealing with course material sequentially, since there was a definite syllabus. Nevertheless, my son quit going there after a few years.
He is now older and it was during these rests where his homeroom teacher taught his class how to play chess that he has also developed an interest in the game and plays it much better than most of his peers as he had already been taught how to play it.
I intend to enroll him in those online classes again shortly. Instead of wasting time on his iPad, Divisha relayed how her son prefers to play chess with her or her husband when he has time off from other activities.
International students take online classes based in UAE
On the other hand, some UAE university students currently studying abroad decide to enroll in the online classes from Emirates and pay in dirhams rather than euros.Hasti Motevasel, a fashion student in Milan, is an example of the working students, who takes online classes in yoga from an instructor in Emirates.
Student in the varsity, who was born and raised in Dubai, said, ‘Initially, it was effortful doing the normal college routine and doing something which was relatively off the ground. Then I found online yoga, and that has changed everything. Yoga is great because it is very easy to schedule it in.’
The 22-year-old Ethnic Iranian expat further added, ‘Since I could choose morning sessions I can practice before my college day starts. It has also been very practical being able to pay in dirhams. Savings on transportation have been a great help, particularly compared to using euros here. Hmmm, it is how I take a break from the stress of the fashion school. It adds structure and efficiency into my day while still enabling me to cope with stress in a positive manner.'
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