Quality education is a requirement for the future of a country and its citizens, or even for people who are migrating to and from the country. Keeping this in mind, the United Arab Emirates embraced universal education as part of its ‘education for all’ initiative. International schools in Dubai were set up as a result, and they have set a high standard to improve literacy and competency of its populace including expats.
The literacy rate in the United Arab Emirates has increased vastly from 1975 to 2019. In 1975, the literacy rate amongst adult men was 54 percent and among adult women was 31 per cent. In the next 40 over years, the literacy rate for both genders has shot up to a whopping 95 percent.
This has helped the Emirati cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi compete with the best in the world for human capital and innovative minds and zoom towards prosperity with world-class infrastructure and opportunities.
This is why UAE is now considered among the best in the world:
- The United Arab Emirates put a great deal of focus on inclusivity and quality education for all. It started the “Education for All” initiative which was aimed to create a “first-rate education system”, focused on best practices in teaching students subjects like mathematics, English, sciences, etc.
- This is visible in their efforts like inviting the best international schools to set up campuses in Dubai. The aim was to set up Dubai international schools and invite big players like GIIS to set up Smart schools that use interactive technology for student-friendly learning. The use of these systems and devices is set to revolutionize the education sector of the UAE and to give it a whole new image.
- To reduce the sizeable wealth gap among the populace, UAE government made major strides towards adopting an education system that would include children of migrant workers as well. This has not only brought in the best international schools in Dubai but has also improved its image as an education destination and has attracted talent.
- The Middle- East is here to show us just exactly how powerful a tool literacy is against poverty. The Ministry of Education strongly supports the educational needs of children with disabilities or special needs. Therefore, federal laws have been passed to protect the rights of disabled people. This guarantees them equal education opportunities. Dubai International schools completely adhere to these policies and work towards making the educational environment more comfortable for these students.
- The UAE education system is split over fourteen years of schooling. Dubai International schools cover them from ages 4-18. Kindergarten is for children aged 4-5. This is just before they move up to primary school. They attend primary school until the age of 11-12. After this is when students get to attend preparatory school for three years and transition to secondary school which continues for another three years. At Dubai International schools, children graduate with a Secondary School Leaving certificate when they are approximately 18 years of age.
- The schools are categorized into public schools and private schools. Public schools are free of charge for citizens. Expats may have to pay the school fees as requested. Private schools are more exclusive than the public schools. Their fee structures vary from school to school. There are plenty of private international schools in the United Arab Emirates. Most of the parents who opt for private schools for their children generally do so because it offers them wider subject and career options. Dubai International schools also allow them to form ties with other global universities.
These steps by the United Arab Emirates have helped Dubai International schools thrive and educate their populace better for a future that looks bright and progressive.