Premium schools across the UAE are witnessing a notable rise in enrolments, with some schools reporting increases of nearly 20%, despite hefty fee structures reaching up to Dh120,000.
The surge in demand is primarily attributed to the influx of new families moving to Dubai, as well as the expansion of residential communities.
Lisa Crausby, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, noted,
“We’ve seen enrolments in our premium schools increase by 4% year-on-year, and we expect a further 6.5% increase by September 2025.”
GEMS Education, which operates 13 premium schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has expanded capacity with new campus openings, including senior school facilities at GEMS World Academy – Dubai and new middle school blocks at GEMS Dubai American Academy.
Taaleem, another leading K-12 education provider, reported a strong performance in Q1 2024-25, with a 14.8% increase in operating revenues and an 18.7% rise in enrolments. The group’s recent acquisitions, including the French school LLFP Meydan and the expansion of DBS Emirates Hills, boosted their premium school capacity by 28%.
David Wade, Principal of GEMS FirstPoint School – The Villa, shared that enrolments have increased by 34%, with waiting lists now in place for most year groups.
“We offer great value in the premium sector, with fees ranging from Dh36,593 to Dh74,017,”
he said.
The demand is also evident at schools like Hartland International School, which has seen increased interest in its secondary school programs, with top-ranked universities offering spots to its students. School leaders emphasize that the growing interest in premium education is not only driven by families relocating but also by Dubai’s expanding residential communities.
News Source: Khaleej Times
