Marcela Romero is a stay-at-home mum, but on weekday mornings you will not find her fretting over what to put in school lunch boxes, or piling her kids into the car in Al Ain for a school run.
Ms Romero – mum to Josue, 8, and Agustina, 6 – is among a growing number of parents who choose to teach their own children at home.
Included in the list of subjects is "real-life" education.
"I teach them practical life skills, such as cooking, household responsibilities, groceries and organising parties," she says.
"We keep learning fresh by visiting different interesting places, and by developing in my children a deep curiosity and desire to understand the world around them."
Parents teach their children at home around the world, but here rising school fees and cuts to employees’ benefits make it more affordable than mainstream schooling.
And with long school runs twice a day, it can also make sense time-wise if one parent is prepared to do the teaching.
If Emirati families choose home schooling they are required to use the UAE curriculum, with education authorities providing curriculum materials and support. But the Ministry of Education does not have regulations for expatriates.
Those parents go it alone, join organisations offering home-schooling programmes in their home countries or form a community with other like-minded parents.
"There are no school laws for non-Emiratis," says American mum Seema Khan, who runs Home Education Network of Abu Dhabi, which has 60 members.
"They ask us to follow the education laws of our home countries."
Samantha Gautier, also of the US, has been teaching her three children – Hashim, 9, Nourah, 8, and Omar, 5 – for the past three years in Abu Dhabi.
Ms Gautier says her family made the decision when there was a shortage of choices after Hashim had bullying problems at his school.
"It’s definitely growing because of the economy," she says. "A lot of people are having a hard time paying the tuition, which is increasing every year. A lot of people are seeing the differences between what’s being taught here and where they are from.
"And there are people whose kids were being bullied at schools.
"For whatever reason, they’re choosing to pull their kids out."
For other families, "unschooling", or allowing learners to follow their own interests, is a lifestyle choice.
Caridad Saenz, a Cuban-American mother of six, started teaching her eldest son Juan Jose, 14, when he was in Grade 2 and the family lived in Las Vegas.
"The teacher recommended that we home-school because he was reading at such a high level," Ms Saenz says. "He seemed bored at school."
Her children have followed their natural interests. Juan Jose has a passion for game designing; Juan Diego, 10, loves playing piano; Juan Pablo, 9, enjoys maths; and Tica, 7, loves the theatre.
"It can be a problem that they want to be on their gadgets all day," Ms Saenz says.
"We’re very child-oriented so we let them, but if we see that they’ve hit a week where they’re just not learning anything new we try to spark their interest.
"This Saturday, we brought out a frog from a biology dissecting kit and went over the anatomy."
Learning at home does not suit all children.
Sallyann Della Casa, who runs the educational organisation the Growing Leaders Foundation in Dubai, says children who are intrinsically motivated are better suited to home schooling.
"Those who enjoy working alone and at their own pace, are genuinely curious, willing to explore and well-disciplined may flourish," Ms Della Casa says. "Children who get their energy off other kids may not thrive."
She says that in the growing "gig economy", in which many young parents work from home, home schooling can be a viable solution.
"Home schooling has become big business and is highly customisable with the rise of online learning academies," Ms Della Casa says.
"Even Stanford University now has an online high school."
Ms Saenz and Ms Romero are members of the Al Ain Homeschool co-operative, a community that has grown to 26 families since 2014, and has members from South Africa, America, Australia, the UK and the Czech Republic.
It is a support network that enables parents to teach each other’s children as well as their own.
Ms Saenz teaches etiquette and charm classes, and Ms Romero teaches history and geography to a friend’s son, as well as her own children.
So far this year, the Home Education Network of Abu Dhabi has organised trips to KidZania, Al Ain Zoo, Junior International Model UN Association, snorkelling and volunteering.
"The world is our classroom," says organiser Ms Khan, who teaches her three boys aged 14, 10 and 5.
"We have the freedom to explore our host country, socialise with people of all ages and professions, and take advantage of local talent and mentors."
While many home-schooling parents pick and choose age-appropriate supplies through their own research, Ms Gautier is more structured in her approach.
She pays Laurel Springs School in California US$2,500 (Dh9,180) a year for each child, which includes books, shipping and a detailed curriculum.
When they started, Hashim was lagging behind academically and had to repeat Grade 1. Now Ms Gautier considers him to be "gifted and talented".
"Home schooling can be exhausting. It’s something you have to be serious about and it’s very time consuming," she says. "But it’s also a great way of bonding with the kids."
One drawback is that children can miss out on the social side of school.
"Socialisation has been a little bit difficult," Ms Gautier says. "But I signed them up for public speaking and acting classes, where they’re able to meet other children and improve how they speak.
"I’ve always given them the choice to go back to school, but I think in a way they were traumatised by their experience and they’re much more comfortable at home."
Ms Romero’s son Josue says he "feels different" when he explains to other kids that he is taught at home.
"He doesn’t like that so much," she says.
Home schooling can give an exceptionally gifted child the time to dream big. American mum Brandy Hawkins has been teaching her daughter Melody, 11, for the past two months so she can focus on training as an international gymnast.
"She needs to work out in the morning, then we take her to Dubai to train for three hours," Ms Hawkins says.
"She can do schoolwork in the car and get more sleep in the morning, as there’s not that pressure to have to get to school on time."
artslife@thenational.ae
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Company%20Profile
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The%20Color%20Purple
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
The biog
Born: near Sialkot, Pakistan, 1981
Profession: Driver
Family: wife, son (11), daughter (8)
Favourite drink: chai karak
Favourite place in Dubai: The neighbourhood of Khawaneej. “When I see the old houses over there, near the date palms, I can be reminded of my old times. If I don’t go down I cannot recall my old times.”
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week