DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates /Culture & Society

Save Dh300: UAE parents swap textbooks, donate uniforms to cut back-to-school costs

From Khaleej Times · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • UAE parents are exchanging textbooks and donating lightly used uniforms to reduce back-to-school costs and limit waste.
  • Dubai’s Step Up platform lists more than 100 second-hand uniforms, with prices starting at Dh15, while school-based exchanges also help families save money.
  • One parent said buying used books had saved at least Dh300 for both children over two years.

UAE parents are turning to second-hand uniforms and textbooks as the new school year brings another round of expenses. WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels and dedicated websites are helping families exchange items instead of buying everything new.

I worked in the fashion industry, and I know that recycling these uniforms or donating them to poorer countries has a certain carbon footprint. A lot of these uniforms are in perfect condition and can be given a second lift.

· RashiThe founder of Step Up explained why she created a platform for reusing school uniforms.

Dubai resident Rashi created Step Up after her two children outgrew uniforms that were barely used. The platform lists more than 100 uniforms from schools across the UAE, with prices starting at Dh15, and offers pickup services for donated items. Rashi said many uniforms remained in excellent condition and could be used again.

“I worked in the fashion industry, and I know that recycling these uniforms or donating them to poorer countries has a certain carbon footprint,” she said. “A lot of these uniforms are in perfect condition and can be given a second lift.”

There is a Telegram group that has been set up by the parent committee which allows parents to sell their used books or exchange their books. It has been facilitated by school and is a huge help to the parents.

· Mohammed IqbalHe described the school-supported textbook exchange in Dubai.

Some schools are helping parents organize exchanges. Mohammed Iqbal, whose children attend Cambridge International School in Dubai, said he had bought second-hand textbooks through a Telegram group created by the parent committee for two years. The group has more than 400 members and allows parents to sell or exchange used books. Iqbal said the arrangement had saved him at least Dh300 for both children.

In the last two years, I have saved at least Dh300 for both my kids by buying secondhand books.

· Mohammed IqbalHe quantified the savings from buying used textbooks.

At Safa Community School in Dubai, donated uniforms are stored in a small space provided by the school. Parent volunteers manage the collection, allowing families to browse items and contribute clothing their children have outgrown. Sadia Anwar said the initiative helped her avoid buying sports jerseys that cost more than Dh100 each, while giving barely used uniforms another use.

My daughter outgrows her uniform very quickly and it just felt not right donating barely used uniforms.

· Sadia AnwarShe explained why she donated uniforms to the collection at Safa Community School.
About this summary

Originally published by Khaleej Times. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog