New Era of Competitiveness for Dubai Schools

First Published:

Wednesday 24 September, 2014

Dubai's private education sector is set to continue to see rapid growth. Figures show more than fifty percent of new schools launched in the last seven years, have opened in the last two, with eleven new schools opening this year alone, the highest rate of increase to date.

More: Details on new Dubai and UAE schools that opened, and are still to open.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said on Tuesday that Dubai's private schools will increase from 169 to 250 by 2020. He cited an increase in skilled professionals arriving with families and the build-up to Expo 2020 for sustaining the continued demand.

“As well as the quality they offer, these [private] schools are in demand because of the opportunity they give students to mix with others from around the world,” said Dr Al Karam. With more parents than ever choosing private international schools, he went on to say, "More schools means increased competition and therefore greater choice for parents."

Student numbers have increased 73 percent in international schools, since 2009. Dr Al Karam said, “With international schools leading the race for student enrolments in Dubai schools’ new era of competitiveness, it is clear that the improved quality of education will emerge as the winner.”

More: The best schools in Dubai

The KHDA sees this increase as positive, stating that of the 43 high growth schools inspected, 40 were rated Good or Outstanding. “Schools offering high-quality teaching and learning, good value and convenient locations will attract a greater number of families, achieve their growth targets and emerge as market leaders,” said Dr Al Karam.

Another report out last month placed Dubai firmly at the forefront of the global private education sector. With more private schools opening in Dubai than anywhere else in the world, the city constitutes seven percent of all global private school tuition fee income, with schools taking approximately Dhs 9 billion in revenues.