Dubai's private schools sector grows by 8.7%

The report is produced annually by KHDA in cooperation with the Dubai Statistics Centre and private schools in Dubai.

Aligned to growth in student enrolment, the number of teachers in Dubai's private schools also increased by 8.7%, totaling 14,333 in 2012/13. Nearly a quarter (23%) of all teachers were new to their school in 2012/13, more than half of whom were recruited from other countries.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of KHDA, said, "Over the past year, Dubai has witnessed growth across many strategic sectors, creating greater employment opportunities for skilled professionals. New and existing schools have shown they are able to keep up with the demand created by this growth. That the majority of new teachers in Dubai's schools were recruited from abroad proves that Dubai continues to be a highly sought-after destination for talented educators worldwide."

Six new private schools opened in Dubai in 2012/13, bringing the total to 153. Offering 15 international curricula, including those from the UK, US, India and the International Baccalaureate, these schools educate students from 177 different nationalities. More than half (56.6%) of Emirati students in Dubai currently attend private schools.

A total of 225,099 students were enrolled in Dubai's private schools in 2012/13, making up 88.7% of the total school student population.

The up-to-date data provided by the Private Schools Landscape allows potential and existing institutions to make informed decisions, and is vital for ensuring transparency and continued growth of the sector.