Choosing a school for your child can be a daunting task. They are being enrolled not just to a specific curriculum but also to a community, so it is important to pick wisely.
Twenty Dubai private schools were rated outstanding in 2023 after the latest round of school inspections by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
The KHDA, inspected 199 private schools to assess them in various categories, eventually rating them from 'outstanding' to 'weak'.
This year there were 25 schools that improved their performance from the previous inspection in 2019.
“This year’s results show that thousands more students have access to better quality teaching and learning, a sign of the dedication and expertise of teachers and school leaders," said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the KHDA.
“We are grateful to the whole education community for supporting our schools to be among the best in the world.”
KHDA said that more than three quarters (77 per cent) of pupils in Dubai attend private schools rated good or better, compared to 70 per cent during the last full inspection cycle in the 2018/19 academic year.
“We’re pleased to see that schools in Dubai have continued their improvement journey,” said Fatma Belrehif, chief executive of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau.
"We will continue working with the school community and parents to ensure that all students benefit from the high standard of education offered by Dubai’s private schools.”
Growth in numbers
Inspections represent an important snapshot of life in education, said the principal at one of Dubai’s most popular schools.
“Staff, students, parents and governors demonstrated to the inspection team during their visit that the academic, social and moral outcomes for all continues to shine in our day to day work at the school,” said Fiona Cottam, principal of Hartland International School.
“The main challenge faced for this inspection was the exponential growth in the school since inspectors last visited.
“We have over doubled in student cohort size since 2020, with nearly 70 per cent of staff never having gone through inspection before.
“This meant that, in many ways, we were genuinely a very different school and therefore maintaining the high standards that we did, whilst still driving improvements post-pandemic, has been a very rewarding, if unusual, journey.”
The Nad Al Sheba school, which maintained its overall rating of Very Good, had 1,440 pupils enrolled in its classes, aged from three up to 18, in 2023.
The principal of one school ranked as outstanding said there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed as pupils returned to classrooms in the wake of the pandemic.
“Post-Covid, there were a few things that needed to be mended – for example, the social and emotional upheavals that we saw in the children, and their reluctance to do extended writing,” said Nargish Khambatta, principal, Gems Modern Academy and senior vice president education for Gems.
“We prioritised socio-emotional studying by getting our school counsellors trained in restorative practices and used ‘circle time’ very effectively.”
She also spoke about the challenges that lie ahead to maintain the school’s high rating in the report.
“The goalposts keep changing for teachers and, being the committed professionals that they are, they always go the extra mile for the children in their care,” she said.
“The challenge of helping teachers focus on their own wellbeing is always on our minds and we put just as much conscious effort into promoting the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of our teachers as we do of our students.”
Another school that celebrated being ranked outstanding was Dubai College.
"I am delighted that the efforts, outcomes and support of the parents, students and staff at Dubai College have been recognised as outstanding once again,” said headmaster Michael Lambert.
“We missed the KHDA during Covid so it was great to have the inspectors back in school lending a critical eye to proceedings and sharing their expertise and insights.
“There is nothing inevitable about the culture of self-improvement which they have created.”
Fee increases
The KHDA announced that some private schools were allowed to increase tuition fees by up to six per cent in the 2023-2024 academic year, citing operational costs and the economic situation as factors in the decision.
The regulator said only schools that maintain or improve inspection ratings would be allowed to increase fees.
- Schools that maintain their inspection ratings will be eligible to raise tuition fees by up to three per cent
- Schools that improve their rating from “weak” to “acceptable” and from “acceptable” to “good” can increase fees by up to six per cent
- Schools that move from “good” to “very good” can increase fees by 5.25 per cent
- Schools that improve from “very good” to “outstanding” can apply a 4.5 per cent rise.
Enrolment at Dubai private schools has increased by 4.5 per cent since the last academic year, the KHDA said.
However, not all schools will be taking advantage of the allowed fee increase.
The Indian High Group of Schools announced that it would not be increasing its fees for the next academic year, despite having government permission to raise them by up to 3 per cent.
In a letter to parents, Punit Vasu, Indian High Group of Schools' chief executive, announced that despite increasing operational costs and inflation rates, the group had decided to freeze tuition fees for the next academic year.
He emphasised the group's commitment to affordable education.
“We strongly believe it is imperative to support all our stakeholders in ensuring they have continual access to world-class learning without having to face the added pressure of an increase in tuition fees,” Mr Vasu said.
The Indian High Group of Schools, which has three campuses in the emirate, is a non-profit group licensed by the Community Development Authority — Government of Dubai.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
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Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The five pillars of Islam
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
