The UAE is home to over 1200 schools, offering high-quality education and shaping kids’ futures. But how do you choose a school for your child, and what factors should you consider? When finalizing a school for your kids, choose one that is a perfect fit for your budget, location, standards, and needs.
As a parent, navigating this can be a bit challenging. For that, we have compiled the top 8 factors to consider when choosing a school for your child in the UAE. Let your kids’ creativity shine and enrol them in the right school! Continue reading to know more.
- Schooling in the UAE
- 8 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right School For Your Kids
- List of Best Schools in the UAE
- FAQs
Schooling in the UAE
There are many public and private schools in the UAE offering a variety of curricula. From British to American and Indian to IB, there are more than 17 curricula offered in the Emirates. Choosing the right curriculum and a highly-rated school can be daunting. Don’t worry, we have got you covered.
But before moving ahead, let’s have a quick sneak peek into what education in the UAE is like:
- Emirates has around 600 private schools and more than 600 public schools.
- The Ministry of Education (MOE) manages all the schools at the federal level.
- The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) oversees the private schools in Dubai. Similarly, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have their local bodies overseeing education in the respective Emirates.
8 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right School For Your Kids
As an educational hub, there are top schools and higher education institutes in the UAE. When enrolling kids in school for the first time, a common question that comes up is, how to choose a school for your child. No doubt, the right choice varies depending on needs and requirements. However, there are some common factors to consider when choosing the right school for your kid.
We have compiled a list of 8 factors to consider before finalising a school for your little one. Without any further ado, here is how to choose a school for your child:
1. Public vs Private Schools
First things first! Before moving ahead, choose whether you want to enrol your kids in public or private schools in the UAE. Here are some key things to consider:
- Fees: Public schools are free for locals, whereas, private schools can cost anywhere around AED 2,700 to AED 108,000 annually. On the other hand, expats can enrol their kids in public schools at a fairly low cost.
- Curriculum: Private schools generally offer a diverse set of curricula as compared to public ones.
- Education Standards: Private schools provide a high-quality education combined with practical learning. Whereas, in a public school, the high student-to-teacher ratio results in less personalised guidance.
For a detailed overview of both school types, check out the comprehensive comparison of public vs private schools in the UAE.
2. Curriculum Choice
The next factor to consider is the curriculum of studies. Whether you want your children to study a British curriculum or want them to study their local Indian curriculum. Not all schools offer every type of curriculum. Public schools operate under the Ministry of Education curriculum.
For this reason, ensure finalising a curriculum before searching for schools. Here are some top recommended curricula by parents in the UAE:
- UK curriculum
- American Curriculum
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Indian curriculum
- Ministry of Education curriculum (for public schools)
Curriculum choice is linked with future goals. If you want your kid to pursue higher studies in the UK, the British curriculum is a great fit. On the other hand, the IB curriculum opens doors to a world of opportunities due to its global recognition.
3. School Location
A main concern of parents is the distance of school from their residence. The nearer the school is, the better it is in terms of lower travel costs and commute times.
If you are relocating to the UAE with kids, consider these pros and cons of living near schools to finalise your choice!
4. School Fees
Fees are another important factor that parents stress over. Fortunately, the Emirates boasts that schools there suit every budget. Want free education for your child? Enrol in public schools or consider private schools that have low fees with high education standards.
Also, many schools in the Emirates offer sibling discounts, partial or total fee waivers, or scholarships. When counting on fees, don’t forget to add the miscellaneous costs such as stationery, uniform, and travel.
5. School Ratings and Reviews
What do you do first when purchasing a mobile phone? Probably seeking out recommendations or scrolling through reviews. Similarly, this is what you should do when finalising your kid’s school.
Consider how well a school is rated by the relevant authorities. In Dubai, KHDA handles private school ratings. KHDA rates schools based on leadership, education, and cleanliness from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Weak.’ Go through the official website of KHDA to find the recent ratings. Similarly, ADEK rates Abu Dhabi schools.
6. Student-Teacher Ratio
A student-teacher ratio indicates how many students a teacher handles at a time. The best is a 20:1 or a ratio lower than this. It allows the teacher to focus more on the students individually and help them excel in their studies.
7. Exposure and Facilities
Do you want your child to engage in thought-provoking discussions, be a part of debates or play sports? Or in short, enjoy learning? Then choose a school wisely. Prioritise schools that blend traditional learning with practical exposure and activities.
Moreover, consider facilities such as a cafeteria, sports facilities and state-of-the-art computer labs. These add-ons provide an environment for kids where they can experiment, create, and learn!
8. Safety and Security
All parents desire the best for their kids, from a safe environment to top-notch facilities. For that reason, safety protocols, policies, and medical facilities must be thoroughly checked and questioned in advance.
List of Best Schools in the UAE
Researching, shortlisting, and then finalising a school seems to be a complex process. Ditch the process and have a look at the top schools in the UAE, categorised for every emirate.
Dubai
- British Schools in Dubai
- American Schools in Dubai
- Indian Schools in Dubai
Abu Dhabi
- British Schools in Abu Dhabi
- American Schools in Abu Dhabi
- Indian Schools in Abu Dhabi
Other Emirates
- Best Schools in Fujairah
- Best Schools in Ras Al Khaimah
- Best Schools in Ajman
- Best School in Umm Al Quwain
FAQs
Some kids start school at the age of four in Kindergarten 1. However, the compulsory age for education in the UAE is six.
Choosing the best school for kids begins with jotting down your requirements. Such as the type of environment, curriculum, exposure and more. Also, check the school reviews and visit them to know better about the facilities it provides.
Now you must know how to choose a school for your child. Finding the perfect school for your kids is stress-free with our expert tips. Enrol your kids in the best schools in the UAE and brighten their future.
Additionally, if you prefer low-cost and high-quality education, consider homeschooling in the UAE.
