Families in the United Arab Emirates are starting preparations for the beginning of the academic year well in advance, and their searches extend beyond standard school supplies and uniforms. An analysis of new search trends on the Dubizzle marketplace shows that parents are actively investing time and money in setting up complete study areas at home, with used furniture becoming a very popular choice.
The highest demand on the platform is observed in the category of desks. Furthermore, families are looking for ergonomic chairs, bookshelves, and ready-made desk and chair sets, reflecting a growing emphasis on creating specialized learning spaces at home.
Figures demonstrate the priorities of UAE families this season. Searches for chairs for desks showed a sharp increase of 1450 percent, while interest in bookshelves increased by 248 percent compared to the previous month's data.
The data also indicates a growing interest in multifunctional furniture, particularly loft beds with built-in desks, as households seek practical solutions that maximize space while supporting children's educational needs.
Alongside items for home study, buyers are increasingly turning to used and free furniture for lessons. The search for free study desks rose by 163 percentage points month-on-month, highlighting a growing tendency towards circular consumption as families aim to control back-to-school expenses while giving quality items a second life.
Matt Gregory, Senior Director of Strategy at Dubizzle, noted: 'Back-to-school purchases today go far beyond traditional school supplies. Families are planning ahead and preparing more thoughtfully for the new academic year, from creating comfortable study spaces at home to considering used furniture and learning materials.'
He added that there is also a greater openness to circular consumption. 'This allows consumers to save money while extending the lifespan of quality products,' he stated. 'It is a practical shift that benefits both families and the environment.'
School bags remain another significant area of demand. While everyday backpacks continue to be among the most sought-after items, interest in premium models is also growing. According to Dubizzle, searches for TUMI backpacks increased by almost 65 percent compared to last month, and Louis Vuitton backpacks are also among the most popular premium items. Some sellers are even listing items such as original Dior notebooks and Gucci backpacks ahead of the start of the school year.
In addition to furniture and accessories, textbooks are one of the most actively browsed categories, as parents and students look for affordable alternatives to buying new editions. Some parents are also searching for notebooks—sellers are listing both laptops and unused notebooks on the marketplace.
These results underscore a broader shift in consumer behavior, as residents of the UAE increasingly embrace re-commerce as a practical way to prepare for seasonal events. By choosing used furniture, textbooks, and school supplies, families are not only reducing costs but also helping to minimize waste, supporting a more circular economy.
Lucknow University has announced the start of direct admission applications for B.Tech and MCA programs for the 2026-2027 academic year, extending the application deadline. Interested applicants can submit their applications until August 12th.
The university directly fills the remaining seats after the UPTAC admission campaign. The relevant application form is already uploaded to the official website, and students can be enrolled by filling out this document.
After filling out the application, a draft fee of 1600 rupees must be paid to the university's financial controller. Information regarding available seats was supposed to be provided on August 7th, after which a list of admitted students based on ranking will be published.
Direct admission is available for the following programs: Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering AI under the B.Tech program.
To be admitted to the B.Tech programs, students must have completed the 12th grade at any accredited institution, possessing a certificate in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
For the MCA program, applicants must hold a BCA or B.Sc (Computer Science), B.Sc (IT), B.Tech (CSE), or B.Tech (IT) degree. Admission is also permitted if the student has completed any other bachelor's program, such as B.E, B.Tech, B.Sc, B.Com, or B.A, provided that the program included a Mathematics course at the 12th-grade or bachelor's level. Furthermore, a score of no less than 50 percent in an examination is required.
Another round of negotiations between students and the state government is scheduled in Ranchi. Previously, on Friday, the first meeting took place between students protesting over irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC exams in Jharkhand, and the state government. The government, led by Hemant Soren, formed a panel of four ministers that engaged in dialogue with a delegation of ten students.
On Saturday at 10:30 AM, the eight-member student representative body, 'JPSC-JSSC Aspirants Justice Forum,' will hold a discussion with government representatives at the State Guest House in Ranchi.
The students have been continuously protesting since the discovery of irregularities in the 14th JPSC civil service exam on July 2nd. Student leader Devendran Nath Mahto has been on a hunger strike for six days in support of the protesting students.
Protesting student Kush Mahto stated that the negotiations will be conducted under Devendra Mahto's leadership, and if their demands are not met, they will continue the hunger strike.
It was previously noted that the panel participating in the negotiations with the students on Friday and hearing their demands included Chamra Linda (JMM), Sudivya Kumar Sonu (JMM), Deepika Pandey Singh (Congress), and Sanjay Prasad Yadav (RJD).
The representation that will participate in the negotiations at the State Guest House belongs to the main group of protesting students, separate from Devendra Mahto's group. This delegation previously participated in the meeting and presented the students' viewpoint.
After the completion of the previous negotiations, student leader Ravindra Paswan reported that it was their first meeting and that it went very positively. He noted that the atmosphere was like a family setting and that it was truly a positive meeting. He expressed confidence that the government, the Chief Minister, and all ministers would consider their demands.
A legal norm is effective only when it is correctly applied. Despite thousands of children having the legal right to education in private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, many of them still could not be enrolled.
At this point, IAS officer Manjunath Bhajantari intervened to make the system fair, transparent, and accessible. He promoted transparency in RTE admissions by digitizing the enrollment process and implementing public lotteries.
Furthermore, he ensured compliance with the law even from elite private educational institutions and fought against illegal fee hikes, making quality education more accessible and protecting the rights of hundreds of families.
His work serves as a reminder that significant governance does not always lie in launching new programs, but in ensuring that existing rights actually reach the people for whom they are intended.
