Discover the inside track on the educational landscape in the UAE
Finding the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a family.
The school you choose will not only educate your child and inspire them with a love of learning, but it will also be where they will make some of their foundational friendships and learn about the world beyond home, including the values and cultures of their peer group.
Here’s the inside track on the educational landscape in the UAE.
DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC
The UAE offers one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic education landscapes. Forecasts suggest that a further 150,000 students will enrol in UAE schools by 2027 as the country’s population increases, and 150 new schools are planned by 2030. (Gulf News)
The offer of high-quality education attracts people from all over the world to study here, as shown by the record growth in school admissions during the 2023-24 academic year.
All schools are regularly inspected to ensure that academic standards keep improving and are maintained yearly.
With 17 different curricula available across the UAE, including British, IB, American, French, German, Indian, and more, it can be helpful to have a broad understanding of the education landscape to make an informed choice.
TYPES OF SCHOOLS
Schools in the UAE typically fall into one of the following four categories:
The “not-for-profit” schools
A small number of schools in the UAE are classified as not-for-profit. These schools were established many years ago and have a long and steady track record of academic achievement. A Board of Trustees governs them, so money is reinvested into the school to realise its goals.
The “sister” schools
These schools have been set up by well-established and well-known schools in the UK. They carry much of the DNA of the original school and are regularly quality-assessed by teams from the home school.
These schools have a strong understanding of the British private education system and are well-placed to prepare children for entry into top UK schools and universities.
Education group-owned chains of schools
Much of the education provision across the UAE is delivered by education companies that run groups of schools.
The “independents” are individually owned schools, some of which have a distinctive ethos, such as a focus on sustainability, a creative curriculum, or a great reputation for extracurricular, enrichment or learning support.
GOVERNING BODIES
ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge) regulates private schools in Abu Dhabi, oversees the educational process and legislation, and supervises the school inspection framework.
Dubai KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority): is the government regulator responsible for the quality of private education in Dubai.
It manages the growth of new schools opening in the Emirate, monitors school appointments, parent relations, and student progress, and sets the school fee framework.
KHDA is also responsible for the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, which regularly assesses the quality of the education provided by schools in Dubai.
Sharjah SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority): oversees the private school sector in Sharjah, focusing on quality education and ensuring schools meet regulatory standards.
UAE SCHOOL INSPECTIONS
Schools are inspected annually or bi-annually in the UAE to ensure they match or exceed international standards in education, school environment, teaching and learning, and safety and security. Schools are ranked on the following scale:
- Outstanding – Exceptionally high quality of performance or practice.
- Very Good – Quality of performance exceeds the expectations of the UAE.
- Good – The expected level for every school.
- Acceptable – The minimum necessary level of acceptability.
- Unsatisfactory – Quality is not yet acceptable for schools, and urgent measures must be taken.
With so many options and a diverse array of curricula, the UAE provides a vibrant education landscape that caters to the needs of students from around the world, allowing parents to find the perfect fit for their child’s education and future.
UAE schools in numbers:
- c.220 private schools in Dubai (up from 136 in 2007/08)
- c. 237 private schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain combined
- 150 new schools planned in the UAE by 2030
- 17 different curricula available across the UAE
* based on the latest available data from the respective educational authorities.
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