Education costs in Dubai soared by 18.6 percent in 2009 according to new figures from the government.
The huge rise was attributed to increases in tuition fees across the emirate.
Dubai shoppers were also forced to pay more for their clothing and footwear, which saw an increase of 9.86 percent from 2008. Restaurants and hotels were on average 7.36 percent more expensive, while alcohol and tobacco products rose 5.61 percent.
The figures were published in a report which revealed the emirate’s inflation rate was 4.06 percent in 2009.
Goods and services were divided into 12 main expenditure groups. Healthcare costs rose 5.31 percent, transport by 4.36 percent and housing and utilities by 2.41 percent.
Earlier this month the director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority said school fee hikes would not be justified this year.
Dr Abdullah Al Karam said that fees must reflect current cheaper rental costs, and added that talks about new fee caps are underway with the Ministry of Education.
Last year schools were allowed to raise fees by seven to 15 percent depending on their performance – the better the performance the higher the fee increase allowed.
This year, additional criteria may be included for schools to be able to raise fees.
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