Parents Get Upper Hand in School Choice

Families in Dubai will have an increasing amount of choices when it comes to both choosing a school, and where they live in the years ahead according to a new report from real estate firm, Propertyfinder and the Education Intelligence Group (EIG), a business consultancy.

The report argues that schools are being forced to "re-evaluate their position in the market" given the increasing choices available to parents, and competition among schools.

13 schools opened in Dubai in 2018, creating an additional 18,000 school seats, while 25,000 will be added to the Dubai market by the end of 2018 the report estimates.

“Dubai parents have realised their purchasing power, and they are voting with their feet,” said Shaun Robison, the director of the Educational Intelligence Group.

“With more schools, and new types of schools on the horizon, parents will continue to benefit from the expanded choice.”

Robison added that “data from Propertyfinder indicates that the emerging trends of the residential sector, and this will put further pressure on school operators, which also presents opportunities.”

One effect of the increasing number of schools is increasing localisation and growing number of community schools,” Robison notes, describing this as a "seismic shift".

According to Propertyfinder data, by the end of 2017 Dubai residential supply amounted to 403,000 apartments and 86,000 villas, bringing the total residential supply to 489,000 units. Additionally, Dubai Land Department data shows that 14,000 homes have been added to Dubai’s residential supply in 47 developments so far this year.

Based on this data, it is estimated that the residential supply by the end of the year will exceed the amount of new supply in 2017.

“As the Dubai real estate market matures, we are seeing a much welcome shift for consumers,” said Lynette Abad, director of research and data for Propertyfinder.

“For the first time, consumers have a choice in housing and in schools. The days of competing with others for a home or a seat in a school are long gone.”