UAE Schools Maintain Steady Attendance Despite Soaring Summer Airfares
As the summer holidays approach, many families in the UAE are grappling with the soaring cost of airfare, which traditionally peaks at the start of the school break. Despite the financial pressure to travel early, school leaders report that they have not seen a notable spike in students departing before the official end of the term. Educators emphasize that parents increasingly value the final weeks of the academic year, as this period is packed with vital activities such as end-of-year assessments, transition planning, and reflective learning, all of which are essential for student development.
Principals across various institutions, including GEMS Founders School and The Oxford School, note that attendance remains stable and consistent with previous years. Much of this stability is credited to the proactive sharing of academic calendars, which allows families to book travel well in advance and bypass peak-season price hikes. While early leave requests occasionally surface, they are typically rare and tied to specific personal circumstances rather than holiday planning. Ultimately, schools remain committed to delivering a purposeful curriculum right up until the final day, and parents continue to honor that commitment by ensuring their children stay in class.