Globally recognised as one of the best education systems, Emirates is a thriving hub of top educational institutions. The UAE boasts top public and private schools offering top-notch education. When it comes to choosing between a public vs private school in the UAE, both have pros and cons.
This includes budget, education standards and personal preferences. Check out the contrasting features and brighten your kid’s future with the right choice.
- Regulatory Authority
- Medium of Instructions
- Curriculum
- Students to Teacher Ratio in Classes
- Diversity
- Pursuing Further Education
- Admission Procedure
- Quality of Education and School Ratings
- Exams and Student Assessment
- Facilities
- School Fees
- FAQs
Understanding the Education System in the UAE
With continuous evolution, the UAE schools strive to meet the needs of the future. The UAE is home to over 600 private and more than 600 public schools. Before moving on to the comparison, let’s first look at education in the UAE.
In the UAE, every child aged 6 to 18 must undertake education. As per facts, around 75% of UAE’s kids study in private schools. Here is an overview of both types, private vs public school in the UAE:
Public Schools
Public Schools in the UAE offer free education to Emirati and GCC nationals. For expats, education is not free but parents find it highly affordable.
Private Schools
Private schools in the UAE are generally expensive but the tuition fees differ based on the school. More than half of the population prefers private schools because of the quality of education, environment and variety of curriculums.
Public vs Private Schools in the UAE: Key-Differences
Here is a comparison of public vs private schools in the UAE. Invest in your kids’ bright future by making the right choice. Let’s begin!
1. Regulatory Authority
- Run and managed by the UAE Government. The main motto is to offer education to everyone.
- Run by different private organisations. The main motive is earning money so the schools strive to become the best in town.
2. Medium of Instructions
- Public schools in the UAE have Arabic as their first language of instruction with English being the second language.
- English is the first language with Arabic and others being the second.
3. Curriculum
- Public schools have a strong emphasis on connection to roots. This is why the Government of UAE has introduced a national curriculum covering Arabic, Social and Islamic studies majorly.
- Private schools focus more on international standards of education. Offering more than 14 international curriculums, these schools provide diverse choices.
Curriculums include but are not limited to:
- British
- Indian CBSE
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- American
- Other than this, these schools provide education in STEM and other areas. This equips students with the necessary knowledge to succeed in their careers.
4. Students to Teacher Ratio in Classes
- Public schools in the UAE are open to everyone. Since they are mostly free, the class sizes are large to cater to most students. This results in a high student-to-teacher ratio and less specialised guidance for students.
- Private schools, on the other hand, tend to have smaller class sizes with a low student-to-teacher ratio. This helps students receive personalised attention that is beneficial for them in the long term.
5. Diversity
- Public schools offer admission to any and every student. This means everyone from the lower to upper class and from any background can be admitted to these schools. Generally, this results in a multicultural environment within the school.
- Private schools are selective in offering admissions to students. They often cater to a specific class and background because of their fee structure and selection criteria.
6. Pursuing Further Education
- Around 90% of students from public schools pursue further education.
- Around 95% of students from private schools pursue a degree programme.
7. Admission Procedure
- Public schools are open to everyone. If you are a UAE resident or local, you can enrol your child in public schools.
- Private schools have a proper admission procedure that includes an assessment of a kid’s intellect and personality.
8. Quality of Education and School Ratings
- Public schools offer a medium education standard. The main focus is on providing education to the majority.
Although the initiative is commendable, this often results in low education standards. Besides, no authority evaluates public schools in the UAE.
- Private schools offer a high quality of education backed by ratings of different authorities. KHDA Dubai and ADEK Abu Dhabi run annual checks to ensure the highest education standard.
9. Exams and Student Assessment
- Public schools use a combination approach to evaluate enrolled students. This involves regular assessments, practical projects and annual examinations.
- Private schools evaluate students on the criteria set by the respective curriculums. They test students on international standards.
10. Facilities
- Public schools generally offer fewer facilities and focus on providing education. Extracurriculars, sports and picnics are usually low in such schools.
- Private schools offer a well-facilitated environment. This includes state-of-the-art classrooms, a sports area, a focus on personality development, extracurriculars and more.
11. School Fees
- Public schools offer free education to Emirati and GCC nationals. Other than this, expat students can get admission to these schools for as low as AED 6000 annually.
- Private schools are generally costly and not everyone can afford these. The fees vary significantly from AED 2700 to AED 108,000 or more annually.
Both types of schools differ greatly on a variety of factors discussed above. However, the choice depends on your personal needs and preferences. It is best to consider your budget, the overall school environment and the education standards of any school.
FAQs
Yes, public schools are free for UAE and GCC citizens. However, expats need to pay tuition fees for admission.
It is compulsory for children aged six in the UAE to be enrolled in schools.
Yes, girls can pursue all levels of education, from primary to higher (university) education.
The British curriculum taught in more than 150 countries worldwide is one of the most popular curriculums in the UAE. If you want to enrol your kid in British schools in Dubai or Sharjah, here is the list to help you decide:
– Best British schools in Dubai
– Best British schools in Sharjah
Enrolling your kids in a top-rated school in the UAE decides their future. You must have a clear idea of what the public and private school offer. Choose the best one according to your needs and let your kids excel in their educational journeys!
In the end, whether it is private or public, schools in the UAE offer high-quality education.
If you are specifically looking for top private schools in Dubai, read our guide!
