The school you choose for your child will determine how he grows academically and socially. The good news is that the level of education in the UAE is one of the highest in the region. The bad news is that the UAE has more private schools than anywhere else in the world, which makes the decision that much harder. Clive Pierrepont, Director of Communications of education provider Taaleem, says, “Securing school places for children is potentially one of the most stressful parts of moving to the UAE, especially as parents try to choose and apply from afar.”
Here’s what to consider when choosing a seat.
Curriculum
The type of curriculum, style of teaching and language of your home country are important deciding factors for a school. The educational curricula offered in Dubai ranges from British, American, Canadian, Australian, Arabic and Indian to the International Baccalaureate system. For expats, parents will want to choose something that’s as close as possible to what their child is used to.
Adeyela Bennett, Director of Development and Admissions at the American Academy in Al Mizhar, and a parent of four children, says, “As an American, an American curriculum was important for my children. However, make sure your school is accredited through the proper authorities. There are many schools that call themselves accredited but many that aren’t.”
Do your research
Once you have chosen the curriculum, it’s time to navigate through websites, forums, government-rating agencies and brochures. Also check with your embassy or consulate as it may be able to recommend schools.
Another way to suss out a highly recommended institute is through word of mouth. Talk to your friends, family and colleagues in the city and school leaders to get the low-down. “You have to take the time to go in and ask questions. You have to talk to school leaders as the person on the phone mostly likely won’t know what they’re talking about,” says Bennett.
Another good place to check is The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, a Dubai government authority that licenses and oversees both private and public education in Dubai.
Apply early
Start looking at schools as early as possible. This way you won’t be rushed into an important decision and you’ll have time to discuss options with people who have been through the school selection process. “Make sure you start your process of research and applying early. When I arrived I found it was too late,” says Bennett.
Since many schools have waiting lists, your choice may be limited to schools that have availability at the time of your child’s anticipated enrolment. “New arrivals in the UAE must be aware that depending on the year or grade applied for there may be limited choice as the popular schools usually have waiting lists, especially in the Early Years programmes and primary school,” says Pierrepont.
Location and costs
Parents usually look for a school around the area they live. However in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, parents shouldn’t feel restricted as it’s very easy to commute and schools often run fleets of school buses. “I commute from Sharjah where there are more than 30 schools to Dubai for my children’s school. It’s a long commute but I do it for the environment my children have in school every day,” says homemaker Alya Al Shamsi . >
In the UAE, education is quite expensive. There are no public schools or scholarships for expats. However, fees are in line with schools around the world offering similar curricula. Most schools publish their fee schedules on their websites, check them carefully to make sure that it fits your budget.
Special interests
What special interests does your child have? There are institutes that specialise in teaching a certain skill. Or, if he or she has a learning disability, look for schools that will accommodate it.
“Not all schools will be able to offer everything but some will have a reputation for having outstanding departments and specific areas in which they excel,” says Pierrepont. “In preparation for a first contact e-mail, look carefully at the website of the school you are particularly interested in. If there is information you need that is not published there, do not be afraid to send them an e-mail asking them to clarify any issues you may have concerns or questions about. However, do not send copy-and-paste e-mails to all schools asking them for information that is readily available on their websites, take the time to personalise each e-mail and inquiry.”
Most importantly, involve your child and seek his opinion about the type of school he would like to attend.
