Assalamu alaikum - Dh12 polo sold for Dh120? Dubai parents call for honesty on school uniform costs
Assalamu alaikum, parents and carers - some families in Dubai are asking for clearer information about how much school uniforms actually cost and what they’re made of. Many feel they’re paying top prices for synthetic clothes that can irritate the skin and might contain harmful chemicals.
A local entrepreneur, Matthew Benjamin, set up a site and petition called Uniform Truth to let parents see estimated manufacturing costs next to retail prices. His figures suggest markups can be as high as ten times what it costs to make an item - for example, a polo that costs Dh12 to produce turning up on parents’ lists for Dh120. He says exclusive supplier deals between schools and companies can mean suppliers have little reason to keep prices fair, and schools sometimes get a share of the revenue.
Parents are saying they end up spending Dh1,600–Dh2,000 a year on uniforms, with limited choice because contracts tie them to one supplier. Mona Jaber, who runs a kids’ shop and has school-age children, told me she paid Dh2,000 this year and the kit was mostly nylon and polyester rather than the natural, breathable fabrics she expected for that price. Her children came home itchy at times.
Many Muslim families want uniforms that are modest, comfortable and made from natural fibres like 100% cotton or linen - breathable materials that reduce irritation in hot weather. Some parents argue that if children must wear these clothes all day, the fabrics should not trap heat or sweat and should meet recognised certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
Matthew, who moved into school uniforms after years in fashion, compares the sector to fast fashion: low pay for workers, environmental harm, and poor materials for kids. He’s had garments chemically tested before and says some came back positive for banned azo dyes. New testing rules exist now, but he feels there’s still not enough openness and suppliers can sometimes get around the rules.
Not all parents feel the same - some prefer sports-style synthetic materials because they last longer and suit hot climates, and they’ve found cotton uniforms wear out quickly. Still, many schools are responding to feedback: one school introduced a cotton top after parent requests and says it will keep working with families to offer a range of textile options.
Affordability is a big worry too. Some schools have set up preloved uniform shops or second-hand programmes so families can buy items cheaply and reduce waste - these initiatives have helped some parents and funded useful school projects like gardens and sustainability learning.
What parents want, insha'Allah, is straightforward: fair prices, clear info on materials and safety, and choices that respect children’s comfort and health. If you’re a parent worried about uniforms, it might help to ask your school about supplier contracts, request natural-fibre options, and support community second-hand schemes to ease costs.
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