Dubai’s Education in General

The general pattern of the educational system in Dubai follows that of the United Arab Emirates as a whole. From Primary Education up to graduate school, Dubai offers a complete educational system for both UAE nationals and expatriates alike. Schools are either supported by the local government or privately owned. As is the case with public and private schools elsewhere in the world, public schools are supported by government funds and other donations as well, and offer their services for free. There are currently three public universities operational in Dubai, with one more on the way. The list of private universities and colleges is currently at seventeen, and it is set to grow as well.

Since Dubai’s official language is Arabic, the primary language used in these schools is also Arabic, and English is a widely regarded secondary language there in terms of being a medium of instruction. However, in private schools, usually attended by expatriates, the medium of instruction generally used is English. In private schools, Arabic is still considered an important language as well, because it helps students, especially expatriates to communicate better with the general populace. English is the main medium of instruction in private schools because of the demand for proficiency in English in the world scene, and competitiveness in other countries where English is the main language as well.

Differences in preference over private and public schools is just that, a preference. For some, the use of English as a medium of instruction may be a big pull toward private schools, whereas others may find learning Arabic through basic instruction as a better choice. In terms of cost, public schools are free, and private schools have a widely differing range in cost. To give an idea of this cost range for the tuition fee of private schools, at the upper end of the spectrum it may reach in the ten thousand dirham range. This is expensive when one thinks about it, but it is worth it since the level of education in these schools are world-class.

The governing body for the educational system in Dubai is the Dubai Education Council, which monitors the development and progress of Dubai’s educational system. Its formation was spearheaded by the prime minister and leader of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It aims to bring and maintain the schools present in the region at international standards. It also aims to do this while maintaining cultural integrity and social values. Global Practices are set as benchmarks for the schools in Dubai, as well as encouraging active participation from educational institutions in developing the society at large. Quality education is the ultimate goal of the Dubai Educational Council, and achieving world class standards.