Dubai: With schools reopening and the 2013-14 term getting under way, nine new private schools with 20,000 additional students have come on board in Dubai.
More schools are expected to open later in the year.
A spokesperson of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) told XPRESS: “Five new private schools are scheduled to open this month in addition to the four new private schools that opened in April 2013. These nine new private schools have a capacity of over 20,000 students. The opening of the new schools brings the total number of private schools in Dubai to 159.
Among the new private schools, four Indian schools opened in April. They were Delhi Private School Academy, GEMS New Millennium School, Sabari Indian School and Springdales.
NEW SCHOOLS
The other five new schools opening this month are Victory Heights Primary School, Foremarke School, International Concept for Education, GEMS Wellington Academy (Al Khail) and Oasis School.
According to KHDA, the student population has doubled over the past decade. A total of 225,099 students were enrolled in private schools in Dubai in 2012-13, an increase of 17,981 from the previous academic year. The total teacher population stood at 14,333, an increase of 8.7 per cent from the previous year.
FEE HIKES
In terms of fees, KHDA has approved the requests of 17 schools to increase their tuition fees for the year 2013-2014. Twelve fee increase requests from non-profit/embassy schools were approved, seven of which got initial approval in 2012-13 with their increase spread over three-four years while five received fee increase approvals to be implemented in 2013-14.
The fee increases for five for-profit schools have also been approved, three of them last year and two this year.
US CURRICULUM
The new term will also see a number changes across schools in Dubai. An agreement signed by KHDA with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) will see more US curriculum schools working towards accreditation with NEASC. At present, four out of the 35 US curriculum-based schools in Dubai are accredited by NEASC.
CONTRACT WITH PARENTS
Six other schools – Dubai Modern Education School, Al Ittihad Private School, Al Mamzar, Al Ittihad Private School Jumeirah, School of Modern Skills, Greenwood International School and American Academy in Al Mizhar – will introduce legally binding contracts with parents to define their roles, responsibilities and rights.
E-PROCESS
This year will also see the private school system progressing towards greater e-processing. Electronic attestation, made possible through KHDA’s online schools system, will allow schools to apply through their desktops, laptops or smart phones.
Once applications are received, KHDA will issue certificates with a QR authorisation tag linking students’ academic records.
Schools can obtain the final certificates in both hard copy and PDF format, which can be saved online and sent to parents electronically.
WHAT WORKS
On September 30, KHDA will launch this year’s What Works series with parents being involved for the first time.
“Last year’s What Works initiative proved extremely successful, bringing together teaching professionals from across Dubai and the wider Gulf region. For the first time, we will be involving parents in the sessions, offering them the opportunity to interact with teachers and learn more about their children’s schooling,” said Hind Al Mualla, Chief of Engagement.
