Two new affordable Dubai schools received more than 2,000 applicants a day after the government announced their launch on Monday.
The initiative, called Dubai Schools, will be run by a private sector operator under a new model for the city.
The schools located in Al Barsha and Mirdif will be operated by Taaleem, one of the country's top education providers, and will welcome their first cohort of pupils in August.
“It was incredible. We had 2,000 applicants in one day. I have been in Dubai for seven years and I have never seen that,” said Alan Williamson, chief executive officer of Taaleem.
We had 2,000 applicants in one day. I have been in Dubai for seven years and I have never seen that
“We are very pleased with the incredible response from parents."
“This is another innovative approach to attract pupils, mainly Emiratis, away from acceptable schools in the private sector and underperforming public schools."
The schools will be similar to the charter schools launched by Abu Dhabi in 2019, when a dozen government schools in the emirate had their management taken over by leading private sector operators.
Mr Williamson said the Dubai Schools model will help the UAE move up the league tables in international tests such as The Programme for International Student Assessment and The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.
“This would come from more creative and innovative teaching and learning,” Mr Williamson said.
He said the schools will have a strong focus on Arabic and Islamic studies and follow an established curriculum in English, math and science.
“The vision and mission is to provide quality education at this price point to every pupil in Dubai. It is inevitable that success will follow, and the project will grow," Mr Williamson said.
Who will Dubai Schools cater to?
Dubai Schools will accept children of all nationalities.
The schools will appeal to parents looking for an American-curriculum education for their children with a focus on Arabic and Islamic values.
What curriculum will the schools follow?
The schools will offer an American-curriculum education that is embedded in Islamic values.
The curriculum will be developed according to the standards set by The New York State Education Department in the US.
Elementary pupils will follow inquiry-based learning while those in middle school will be empowered to control the way they study.
There will be certain core courses and some exploratory options such as drama, computers, art, and music, which will be taught in rotation throughout the school year.
For the American High School Diploma, pupils will have to choose a range of subjects with one or more of the Advanced Placement courses.
The Ministry of Education standards will be followed for Arabic, Islamic education, UAE social studies and moral education.
Are these public or private schools?
Dubai Schools will be operated by Taaleem, one of the country's top education providers, and will be regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai's private education regulator.
What are the school fees?
Fees will vary from Dh29,900 ($8,140) for kindergarten pupils to Dh36,155 for fourth-graders.
Transport costs and school uniforms are included in the fees.
Mr Williamson said there will be no hidden fees to avoid any unpleasant surprises for the parents.
Where will the schools be located?
The first two campuses will be in Al Barsha and in Mirdif.
Ontario International Canadian School in Mirdif and American School of Creative Science in Al Barsha will be refurbished by Dubai’s Executive Council and Taaleem before welcoming pupils in August.
How many pupils can the schools accommodate?
The schools will initially be open to those in preschool to Grade 4 and higher year groups will be added as pupils graduate.
The American curriculum is a 12 year system from pre-KG to Grade 12 with a full American High School Diploma.
Dubai School Mirdif has a capacity of 1,000 and Dubai School Al Barsha can accommodate up to 1,200 pupils. Both branches have options for expansion.
Will the schools be co-educational?
Girls and boys will be taught in the same classroom until Grade four.
There will be separate classes from Grade five.
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