Growth in the size and quality of Dubai’s private school sector has more than doubled since the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) was established in 2007. The announcement follows the recent release of annual student enrolment figures, which grew by a record 12 percent since the previous academic year.
The total number of students attending Dubai’s private schools now stands at 365,572 – more than double the 156,504 students enrolled in the 2007/08 academic year. Similarly, Dubai has more than twice the number of schools, increasing from 136 in 2007/08 to 220 in 2022/23. Five new schools opened in Dubai in the 2023/24 academic year.
Dubai schools' education quality has also improved since KHDA’s establishment. More than three-quarters (77 percent) of students were enrolled in schools rated Good or better during the last academic year, compared to 30 percent during the first inspection cycle during the 2008/09 academic year.
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of KHDA, said:
“Dubai is increasingly recognised for the diversity and excellence of its private schools. The latest data show the progress that schools have made since 2007 and is a strong indication of the improvement they will continue to make in future. We’re grateful to school leaders and teachers for their invaluable role in elevating the standard of schooling in Dubai, and for their contribution in making our city a truly global destination for education.”
Dubai’s private schools offer 17 different curricula. The UK curriculum remains the top choice for families, with more than one-third of students (36 percent) enrolled in British curriculum schools, followed by the Indian curriculum (26 percent) and the American curriculum (15 percent). The International Baccalaureate (seven percent) and Ministry of Education curriculum (four percent) round up the top five curriculum choices.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
