The Evolution of Private Education and its Importance to Abu Dhabi and the UAE
By Tyron Farrell 17-Sep-15
One of the most crucial resources in any economy is the people that drive it. Through education, training and skills development, the UAE will advance and continue to attract a highly skilled and industrious workforce to increase its economic output and reduce its reliance on oil as part of its overall vision for diversifying the countries economic landscape. Education and “developing a highly skilled, highly productive workforce” is one of the seven economic priorities identified in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, while the Dubai 2020 vision motto is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” The UAE founding fathers recognized the significance of investing in education and enabling entrepreneurship. Forty years ago there were few schools and no universities; now there are more than 1,200 schools and over 70 universities. In Abu Dhabi alone, to meet the education requirements of the growing population, 60,000 private school places will need to be added in the next five years, according to the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). Statistics for 2014/2015 reveal that in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi there are 188 private schools and 257 public schools teaching 224,143 and 128,022 students, respectively. The private schools cater to more than 62 percent of the total student population in the Emirate. Emirati students account for 24 percent of the total population in private schools, while expatriates account for the remaining 76 percent. Though public education is fully funded by the government and is provided for free to all UAE citizens, there is growing trend among many UAE citizens to enroll their children in international curriculum private schools within the Emirate. Private schools in the Emirate offer 14 different curricula, the principle ones being: UAE Ministry of Education (MoE), British, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Indian. All schools curricula offer three core subjects from Grade 1 to Grade 10 – Islamic Education (compulsory for all Muslim students), Arabic Language (compulsory for all) and Social Studies (compulsory for all). To meet the UAE’s National Agenda goals in 2021, the government has an aspiring plan and recently put forward two main objectives regarding its ranking in international assessments: The UAE will be among the 15 highest-performing countries in Timss (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study). The UAE will be among the 20 highest-performing countries in Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment). Meeting these rankings by 2021 is an ambitious goal for UAE schools but shows again the vision and conviction of the nation’s leaders in striving to better its people and economy. Education is not only critical to the UAE’s development it is also highly lucrative. According to ADEC, private schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi earn Dh3 billion in income. Investments in private schools in the past four years rose to Dh2.439 billion, adding an extra 44 schools. In the past three years, 34 private schools were established with an additional 42,264 school seats to meet increasing demand. Along with the potential for investors/private education bodies to expand and invest within the Abu Dhabi Emirate, there is also a lot of growth and opportunities for training providers and auxiliary service providers and products associated within the educational sector. [email protected]
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12-Oct-22 - Diyafah
Schooling is intended to plan youngsters for this present reality. It implies that the school that they pick should likewise mirror the states of reality. Much thanks to you for sharing important data... From Diyafah International School
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