Education in Dubai: A Parental Guide to Seek Best Schools

Back in the 20th century, Kuttabs, the traditional Islamic schools, were the primary source of education for citizens offering the learning of the Quran, Arabic, and basic arithmetic. Gradually the country saw a transformative shift in its education system with the introduction of modern training systems and international educators, further adopting English as the medium of learning. By the late 20th century, the wealth generated from oils, provided an opportunity for the city to utilize the same for establishing schools and universities.

The government introduced several initiatives leading to an extraordinary change in Dubai’s education system. In 1979, the Dubai Education Council and the  Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in 2006 helped enhance the quality of education and shape the educational landscape of Dubai. In 1997, Dubai established its first government university, named after the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. With the rapid economic development and the influx of advanced technological systems, Dubai realized the need to establish international institutions to serve the requirements of the expats.

Today Dubai stands as a global giant with an extremely diversified and developed education system making it a hub for opportunities for a global audience. Dubai’s education system is composed of public and private institutions. The private sector provides more than 90% of the education, however, public schools also have importance as they serve as an affordable option for citizens by providing free primary and secondary education to more than 280,000 students from 182 nationalities. Women's education which was earlier not appreciated has changed over the years. Now women are seen as equal individuals and performers in not just the education sector but in every part of life. Women have become powerhouses, part of space research and missions, and are on their journeys to become astronauts.

A school is a place that is responsible for a child's academic, social, and emotional development. Choosing the right place for your child is necessary. Education is key to success and school is an important factor in providing the education that further sets the foundation for future success and achievement. A right school with a positive and nurturing environment is essential in shaping a child’s intellectual, communication, and creative skills and instilling core values and beliefs such as respect, responsibility, and empathy.

It is the responsibility of the parents to select a school for their child that is best in every aspect and helps in the overall improvement and development of their child. A school must also have an established infrastructure and be equipped with the latest technology, libraries, and resources required to provide guidance and support to the education system. Factors such as location, transportation, and school hours must also be considered while choosing a school as these are some important attributes that impact a child’s daily routine.

Dubai’s diverse expat population, around 87% of the total population has an impact on the education system stimulating the need and requirement for more private and international schools offering various curricula catering to the expatriate students. This has increased the number of private schools in comparison to public schools in Dubai, thereby dominating the education system. While public schools are primarily for Emiratis, expats can also enroll in these schools by fulfilling all the criteria and regulations and paying the required fees.

The rise in the number of expat students has led to the establishment of private and international schools focussed on improving the quality and providing high-quality education to their children thereby leading to innovations and the creation of an enhanced education system.

Established in 2006 by the Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, it is a regulatory authority of the Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates overseeing the quality and framework of the education system of Dubai. This authority is responsible for evaluating and accrediting the educational institutions and universities in the Emirates.

Some KHDA initiatives:

What Works - It is an initiative established in September 2012 to transform the private education sector and strengthen the overall quality of education with the help of collaborations. It promotes a culture of collaboration between schools and motivates the subject teachers, heads, and principals to share experiences learned at their schools.

Abundance - The Abundance Group Project was initiated in 2016 to improve the quality of schools in Dubai by inviting high-achieving schools in Dubai to share their learning with others. Sixteen Outstanding-rated schools participated in the project, offering workshops and training for teachers from schools that rated acceptable or lower during the previous year.

Dubai Student Wellbeing Census - The primary aim of this project was to investigate student satisfaction. To fulfill this, KHDA partnered with the Department of Education and Child Development of South Australia to deliver a five-year project to measure students’ well-being. According to the data:

• 84% of students are happy most of the time.
• 77% of students feel safe at school.
• 76% of students enjoy close friendships.

Dubai’s schools offer a wide range of curricula in addition to UAE’s National Curriculum such as International Baccalaureate (IB), British, American, French, German, Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino. The government schools follow the standard national curriculum of the UAE, where English is taught as a second language. Their language of instruction is Arabic for all subjects. The private schools offer core programs such as Islamic education, social studies, and Arabic as a second language.

In 2015, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched an initiative to include innovation and entrepreneurship into the curricula of public and private education institutions in the UAE. Since then several initiatives have been launched by the country to transform and redefine its education system providing curriculums that satisfy the requirements of its citizens.

Public School
Dubai offers several government-owned schools that provide education to both girls and boys with Arabic as the language of instruction and English as the second language. Some of these schools are Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute, Rashid School for Boys, and Zabeel High School. Though with the growing expat population, the need and establishment of international schools has increased, the UAE Government gives top priority to reinventing its public education system.

Private school
With the increasing demands of the expat population in Dubai, the country has seen a significant rise in private schools offering 17 different curricula comprising mainly of International Baccalaureate (IB), British, American, and Indian as of February 2024. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority is responsible for the inspection and regulation of the private education system and the Ministry of Education issues accreditations and licenses to schools. Some popular schools are GEMS Dubai Academy, Nord Anglia International School, Safa Community School, etc.

Let's look at some of the top-rated schools in Dubai 2024 accredited by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority that offer high-quality education to its citizens.

RANKING OF SCHOOLS 2024

SCHOOLS	CURRICULUM	RATING	ANNUAL AVERAGE FEES
Kings School Dubai	UK	Outstanding	From AED 46,096 to AED 70,152
GEMS Wellington International School	UK	Outstanding	From AED 46,436 to AED 101,025
Jumeirah College	UK	Outstanding	From AED 77,133 to AED 96,415
Jumeirah English Speaking School	UK	Outstanding	From AED 48,331 to AED 59,728
Dubai College	UK	Outstanding	From AED 93,220 to AED 105,555
GEMS Jumeira Primary School	UK	Outstanding	From AED 43,185 to AED 54,435
GEMS Dubai American Academy	UK	Outstanding	From AED 64,665 to AED 91,158
GEMS Modern Academy	UK	Outstanding	From AED 30,272 to AED 72,180
Dubai English Speaking College	UK	Outstanding	From AED 41,427 to AED 51,269
Repton School	UK	Outstanding	From AED 55,865 to AED 100,394

Steps in the admission process for schools:

Step 1: Fill out the online application form on the website of the school with all the necessary documents required by the concerned institution.

Step 2: After the application form is filled, the concerned school will contact the families through Email and schedule an assessment interview.

Step 3: The child must be present with his/her family at the scheduled time for the interview. The assessment may involve a written test and an interactive interview with the supervisors of the concerned institution.

Step 4: After the completion of the assessment test, if the child secures a good ranking and is considered appropriate for admission, the institution will contact the families and provide them with the offer letter.

Step 5: Once the offer letter is received, the final step to complete the admission process is verification of all the documentation and payment of the fees.    

Required Documentation

• Copy of child’s passport
• Copy of child’s residence visa
• Copy of child’s birth certificate
• Copy of child’s Immunization record
• Copies of both parents’ passports
• Copies of both parents’ residence visas
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Copy of child’s reports for the last 2 years (current year term report and previous school year – End of year report)
• Copy of Leaving/Transfer Certificate from the current school.

Steps in the admission process for Universities:

Step 1: The first and foremost step is to select the institution by researching and choosing the universities and colleges that fit your academic interests and needs.

Step 2: Every university has its eligibility requirements which may include a minimum grade point average (GPA) from the previous educational institution, language tests (like the IELTS or TOEFL), and results from standardized tests (like the SAT or ACT).

Step 3: Prepare all the documents required and fill and submit the online application form on the university’s official website.

Step 4: The next step is the payment of the application fee, if any, imposed by the institution.

Step 5: After submitting the application form, a confirmation email with information on how to track your application status will be provided.

Step 6: The admission committee will review the application and confirm the admission by sending the offer letter.

Step 7: After the admission is confirmed, the final step is to apply for a visa to study in Dubai.
   
Required Documentation

• Completed Application Form
• Transcripts
• Language Proficiency Test Scores
• Standardized Test Scores
• Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Copy of Passport
• Passport Sized Photographs

Entrance exams required to study in Dubai

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• PTE (Pearson Test of English)
• GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
• SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
• ACT (American College Testing)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

In Dubai, several famous universities offer scholarships and financial aid options to international students to support them. The University of Dubai provides undergraduate scholarships for international students across all fields of study to help cover their educational expenses and the American University of Dubai offers a range of scholarships for international students to support their academics and help cover partial to full tuition fees based on merit, need, and other criteria. These scholarships not only provide financial aid but also help make education more accessible for students from all around the world.

Dubai is committed to creating a world free from discrimination for people with disabilities, officially calling them ‘People of Determination’. The country is dedicated to designing programs and services for people of determination to ensure their needs are fulfilled and they reach their full potential. The Ministry of Education’s strategy has facilitated the education of people of determination with specialized teachers having high behavioral skills and supportive technologies and learning materials. 

Some schools that cater to special educational needs are:

• Dubai Centre for Special Needs (DCSN)
• Al Noor Training Centre
• SNF Children Development Centre
• Maharat Learning Centre
• Rashid Centre for People of Determination
• Renaissance School

Laws and Regulations for People of Determination

• Federal Law No. 29 of 2006, is the first law in the UAE to protect the rights of people of determination to guarantee equal opportunities in education. 
• In 2008, the UAE established the Persons with Disabilities Department (formerly the Special Education Department) under the Ministry of Education, to safeguard the rights of students with disabilities. 
• The Ministry of Special Education established the Department of Special Education in 2008 catering to the rights of people of determination.
• National Policy for Empowering People of Determination provides an integrative education system to adapt the curriculum according to their needs and requirements.
• Ministerial Resolution No. 647 for the year 2020 on the policy of inclusive education has reflected their efforts to include people of determination in mainstream education providing them with the best education services.

The schools in Dubai believe that to become exceptional and responsible adults, the students require extracurricular activities in addition to academics. Thus, the schools offer a balanced program of extracurricular activities such as arts, crafts, drama, music, painting, and debating. The schools also include sports events, arts, drama, dance, science, etc. Some schools even organize Olympiads to encourage them and strengthen their outlook for the future.

Some schools even establish clubs such as Arts Clubs, Science Clubs, Chess Clubs, Book Clubs, Cooking Clubs, and Cartoon Clubs allowing them to develop their skills and pursue their interests and a system for recreation and healthy development of the students.

The Arabic language is the official language and national identity of Emirati culture portraying the cultural heritage and significance of the UAE. The country believes in the ideology that for cultural heritage and importance to flow across borders and reach the entire world, language is the easiest and best way forward. Many countries such as Germany, France, and Spain make it compulsory for international students to obtain proficiency in their official languages in return for providing them with certain advantages such as scholarships.

Similarly, the UAE makes it crucial for its students to learn the Arabic language compulsorily as a core subject in their curriculum. With the mindset to advance their legacy and ancestral inheritance across the world, UAE ensures that all the students including the expats enrolled every year are taught Arabic in all the schools, whether public or private schools. Arabic is like a thread spreading the rich endowment and Islami culture to the world. Recently, a new policy was introduced in Dubai mandating Arabic language education for children from birth to six years at all private schools and early childhood centers. This phase will be initiated in September 2025, with phase one covering Arabic language education for children aged four to six years.

UAE tries to unite the different cultures and religions bringing them under the same umbrella to promote a unified cultural significance and multiculturalism. This is evident from its various initiatives such as, recently on the occasion of Ramadan Dubai - the beautified marvel of UAE hosted a ‘Dubai Iftar’ at Al Wasl Plaza in Expo City bringing together people from diverse cultures and religious backgrounds under the same roof to spread a message of unity and diversity demonstrating the spirit of the festival. The event united approximately 1,000 individuals from various religions, backgrounds, communities, clubs, and civil organizations. The purpose of inviting people from different cultural backgrounds is to learn and mingle their cultural beliefs and ideologies promoting a diversified union.

The international students in Dubai are provided with plenty of initiatives and reliefs providing the necessary guidance and support to them. In addition to the scholarships, the country also organizes events and initiatives inviting students from around the world to participate and unite cultures and religions. Some such events include the International Education Show where students seeking higher education and reputable institutions are attracted from throughout the world and the International Student Recruitment Fair Dubai Abu Dhabi UAE Global Education Fair uniting accredited institutions with international scholarship organizations and senior staff.

Many parents enroll their children in boarding schools from a young age intending to foster a safe and disciplined environment with academic excellence. Being away from home and family builds resilience and a sense of responsibility among the children but every coin has two sides, similarly, in this situation also there are some disadvantages.

Advantages of Boarding Education

• Access to Good Education 

Boarding schools offer an opportunity for students to learn in rigorous academic programs with smaller class sizes and trained and dedicated teachers promoting academic excellence.

• Freedom and Sense of Responsibility

Boarding schools help students become self-reliant and responsible beings from a young age, managing all of their routines, academics, and responsibilities on their own without parental guidance and support.

• Cultural Diversity

With students from different religious backgrounds and cultures, boarding schools help expose them to different individuals and enrich their overall educational experience.

• Extracurricular Activities

Boarding schools usually offer a wide range of extracurricular activities in addition to academics fostering the holistic development of the students in the long run.

Disadvantages of Boarding Education

• Homesickness

Some children may find it difficult to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings may feel homesick and face emotional challenges and turmoils.

• Expensive Costs

Boarding schools tend to be more expensive making it financially inadequate for some families to afford them leading to economic disparities in access to quality education.

• Limited Time with Family and Friends

The children may feel disconnected from their family and friends leading to a feeling of being isolated from the outside world and missing out on crucial family moments.

• Peer Pressure

Like any other school, children may face bullying and peer pressure negatively affecting their emotional and mental health and well-being.
 

Dubai offers the best boarding schools with trained and professional teachers, mentors, and facilities. The schools seamlessly balance academics with extracurricular activities.

Let's look at some of the best boarding schools in Dubai:

• Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD)

This is one of the most popular and best boarding schools in Dubai providing an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum with instructions in English, French, or German. The school offers world-class facilities including innovation labs in programming, photography, 3D printing, sports halls, gyms, swimming pools, etc. With Bilingual programs and internal and external after-school activities, the schools tend to create an atmosphere for the students that develop confidence, teamwork, and communication skills.

• Repton Boarding School Dubai 

One of the prominent boarding schools in Dubai following the British National Curriculum until Grade 11 which can then seamlessly transition to the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. The school provides separate boarding houses for girls and boys paying close attention to their comfort and safety with experienced housemasters or mistresses, resident tutors, residential matrons, boarding assistants, nurses, on-site doctors, and ancillary support staff. The school provides access to high-quality extracurricular activities such as sports, music, performing and creative arts, design, technology, and innovation.

Dubai schools are enhancing their learning and literacy initiatives by incorporating innovation and AI-integrated tools and technologies. The country is famous for its diverse and futuristic planning and development strategies which is evident through its 2040 Urban Master Plan. The schools in Dubai have adopted smart learning initiatives such as digital classrooms, Edtech tools, virtual reality,  and innovative labs and spaces through the intelligent use of AI and Robotics.

The schools contain tech-based curriculums and STEM education systems. STEM education means educating students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics combining these skills to ensure that children can become strong figures with unique mindsets and skills thereby, contributing their knowledge and expertise to the real world. The STEM labs provide programs to students from kindergarten to high school enriching and enhancing their learning and understanding of Ed technology, robotics, and AI and help them develop and create unique, innovative, and decision-making skills.

Dubai offers an environment that fosters higher education with its numerous international schools, colleges, and universities. These institutions help shape the overall career landscape of individuals by generating lucrative options and high-paying jobs for them through their quality education and global recognition. Pursuing higher education in a country like Dubai helps in creating a world filled with limitless opportunities enhancing a person’s skill set and knowledge. 
  
Dubai offers career opportunities in various fields such as finance, tourism, technology, and logistics. From doctors, accountants, and teachers to restaurant managers, businessmen, and architects, Dubai is a hub of endless possibilities and creations providing potential students to shape a career that will not only be beneficial for them but will also help in the overall growth and development of the country.

Let's take a look at some of the most notable universities and colleges in Dubai that provide higher education to students and help them develop a balanced and successful career.

                                         Universities in Dubai 

UNIVERSITIES	ESTABLISHED IN
Zayed University	1998
American University in Dubai (AUD)	1995
Curtin University	2018
Canadian University	2006
University of Dubai	1997

In this growing competitive world, the involvement and responsibility of parents have increased to make sure that their children get access to the best education and develop successful careers in the future. The parents must remain engaged in their child’s education by regularly reviewing their studies and being a part of support groups and unions. Creating a peaceful and positive environment at home is also crucial for boosting the child’s focus and concentration.  

The improved participation of parents in their child’s educational and career path will lead to increased motivation and determination. Establishing parent-teacher associations and meetings will enable them to be aware and get feedback on their child’s performance and help them take necessary actions in case of any discrepancy. When parents show interest, the children become confident and develop a strong sense of self-worth helping to improve their parent-child relationship.

Dubai’s education system is ever-improving. The country has made sustainable efforts to create an evolved and well-defined educational system for its students to support their future and turn them into responsible, creative, and successful individuals contributing to the development of the country. The country has smartly used AI and advanced technologies to its advantage and developed systems that will be beneficial for the present generations and help create a better future for the coming generations.