Click here for a list of private schools in Dubai.

Breakdown of the education system

Primary and secondary education is provided for all UAE citizens. The existing educational structure, which was established in the early 1970s, is a four-tier system covering 14 years of education.

Kindergarten
Age level from: 4 to: 5 years old

Primary
Length of programme in years: 6
Age level from: 6 to: 12

Preparatory
Length of programme in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to: 15

Secondary
Length of programme in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Technical Secondary School
Length of programme in years: 6
Age level from: 12 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Technical Secondary Diploma

Primary school education is compulsory for all UAE citizens. Government policy is to provide staff/student ratios of 1:20 at kindergarten and primary levels; and 1:15 at intermediate and secondary levels.

Children with special needs

Special needs centres supervised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs cater to those with hearing and physical disabilities, the visually impaired and others with special needs. There are some major new developments under way, including a large centre in Abu Dhabi with 70 classrooms and 20 training workshops and the Al Thikka Club which opened in Sharjah. The Ministry of Education and Youth, together with the Red Crescent Society, also opened a centre for autistic children in Abu Dhabi, the first in a number of such centres planned by the Ministry.

Higher Education

Higher Colleges of Technology were established in 1988. Located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah, these colleges prepare nationals for professional and technological careers in both government and private sectors. Since their foundation, the colleges have grown significantly, with staff and students increasing by about 30 per cent each year.

The UAE University located in Al Ain, has eight faculties and was established in 1976. In the last 24 years, it has become a leading institution in education, research and community service. The University is also proving to be the most popular destination for students seeking higher education in the UAE with over 15,000 students currently studying at their facilities.

The Centre for Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) runs a countrywide continuing education programme for all nationalities. The programme has been designed for professional development and personal enrichment for people with an eye for continuing education.

Zayed University was established in 1998 to prepare leaders who will foresee the possibilities and capture the opportunities that will create the future of the United Arab Emirates. The University has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Enrollment on the campuses as of 2003 is over 2000 students, all of them female nationals.

School uniforms and fees

School Uniforms

Uniforms vary from school to school. However in many schools the uniform resembles that worn in European or American schools.

In primary school the boys generally wear cotton shorts, cotton shirt and a cotton sweater. Quite often these are in colour combinations of blue, khaki or navy and are worn with white socks and black leather shoes.
Primary school girls usually wear a cotton dress, cotton sweater and white socks with black shoes. Again navy, khaki and blue are popular colours.

For sports children wear a polo style t-shirt with shorts, sports socks and white trainers.

At secondary school level the uniform is similar to that of the primary school but boys have the option of trousers instead of shorts and the girls may have a choice of long shorts, trousers or a regular/long length skirt. Again cotton shirts or polo shirts are worn with cotton sweaters, white socks and black shoes.

School Fees

Annual tuition fees vary greatly between schools, private schools being far more expensive than public ones. Generally fees are calculated on a sliding scale - the fees increase with the grade level of the student. Annual fees are usually payable in two instalments, the first upon registration and the second upon completion of the first term. There are additional costs which may include transport, exam fees, registration fees and book deposits etc.

Kindergarten fees for private schools average around 10,000 Dhs per annum which is roughly £2,120 sterling or $2,700 US dollars. Fees for Grade 12, which is the highest grade in secondary schools, can be around 23,000 Dhs. In sterling that is £4,900 and in US dollars $6,200. These figures are considerably lower for state schools.

School Curriculum

Schools in the UAE follow a number of different curricula. Some favour the American system and others use the British version, but there are schools that offer both systems. Because the curriculum varies between schools the information given here should be taken as a general guide. At kindergarten level the children are usually taught English and maths along with Arabic, art, music, religion and other activities.

Click here for a list of private schools in Dubai.

 
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