Dubai: A rise in the price of school supplies has had parents from all over Dubai complaining.
"It's been a tremendous change. The price of everything has rocketed. There's been an almost 100 per cent rise in prices," said Shalini Menezes, an Indian expatriate mother of two, a five-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl.
Her children attend school in Dubai. "I think it's a general issue, I see a lot more people having the same problem," she said.
Shama Pirzada, a Pakistani expatriate, shares her opinion. "The prices have gone way too high, they are almost double now."
She said that her family budget has been impacted in "a very big way" because the balance of income and expenses "is upset by the prices of uniforms, books and stationery, which have been raised so much".
Very difficult
Pirzada has five children attending school in Dubai. She said: "We have to set aside more money for school supplies, and it is becoming very difficult to continue."
Menezes said that she's had to "cut back and reduce expenses" on vacations, weekend activities and socialising because everything they buy "is double", as they have "to buy two of everything".
To help distract the children from the fact that they can't go out as much, Menezes has found "low cost ways to have fun".
She said: "My children can entertain themselves at home without the extra cost." She also suggested a solution to the growing inflation problem.
"Although I hope not, I think that prices may rise even higher because inflation is a global problem, it's happening everywhere. Here in the UAE, to balance out the rapidly rising cost of everything, they should raise salaries."
Pirzada agrees that inflation is spiralling out of control. She said: "I think most people are saying that the prices are too high and that they can't afford it."
However, no matter how expensive they are, there are some things that parents cannot avoid.
Pirzada said: "Education is a necessity for every child, but if the cost is so much for little things, like books and uniforms, then how will parents give their child what they need? Prices are rising too fast, and one day everything will just become triple the amount it should be."
Menezes agrees that if prices for school supplies go any higher, "people will find it difficult to survive. If the prices for small things get so high, think about the big things, like fees and transportation."
To make the change a little easier, she looks for shops with "offers and better rates". She advised that a good time to shop is when school supplies go on sale.
Pirzada said: "Some people came here to earn and save money, but they are spending more on [their children's] educational supplies. I think shops should stop raising prices, because people ... are having problems."
By Vinti Laungani, Community Journalist