Dubai's private school population has increased to more than 300,000 for the first time after growing by more than 14,000 since the start of the academic year.
Official statistics show 303,262 pupils are enrolled in the emirate's private schools — a sharp rise on the 289,019 total in September and above the pre-pandemic level of 295,148 children in 2019-2020.
Dr Abdullah Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai's private education regulator, said there had been a 4.9 per cent increase since September.
“Dubai’s private schools have consistently focused on improvement and growth, even during challenging times,” he said.
“The record number of pupils reflects the trust and confidence that families place in schools.
“School leaders and teachers have come together and collaborated to work towards Dubai’s aspiration to provide every pupil with a high-quality education grounded in well-being.
“We’re grateful to educators, parents and pupils for being part of Dubai’s education community and for creating the future of education together.”
Dr Al Karam said the encouraging figures were also reflective of Dubai's status as an attractive place to live and work for people across the globe.
“The rise in school enrolment also reflects Dubai’s growing attractiveness as a lifestyle, business and investment destination, which has encouraged families from across the world to relocate to the city,” he said.
Earlier this month, The National told how many Indian schools in Dubai had recorded a boom in enrolments, particularly from families who moved to the UAE this year.
Head teachers reported that instead of the usual movement of pupils within UAE schools, they had requests for admissions and school tours from parents who had recently arrived in the Emirates.
The population of Dubai is projected to nearly double in the next 20 years, according to experts, who predict a new wave of post-pandemic immigration.
UK schools lead the way
The data shows that 35 per cent of pupils are enrolled at UK schools, 26 per cent at Indian schools and 16 per cent at US curriculum schools.
Pupils studying in the emirate's private schools represent 187 nationalities, highlighting Dubai's multicultural society.
Dubai is home to 215 private schools, offering 18 different curriculum choices.
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Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
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Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
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