Education in the UAE

One of the UAE’s highest priorities has always

been education. As President His Highness
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of
the UAE, noted, “The greatest use that can be
made of wealth is to invest it in creating
generations of educated and trained people.”

The UAE has focused on educating both men

and women. In 1975, the rate of adult literacy
was 54 percent among men and 31 percent
among women. Today, literacy rates for both
genders are nearly 90 percent.

New initiatives are being launched at all

educational levels. A key area of focus has
been to transform K to 12 programs, to ensure
that UAE students are fully prepared to attend
universities around the world and compete in
the global marketplace. In addition, some of
the world’s best universities are creating
programs in the UAE, attracting talented
students in the Arab world and globally.

K-12 Programs
The education system of the UAE is relatively
new. In 1952, there were few formal schools in
the country. In the 1960s and 1970s a school
building program expanded the education
system. Now, education at the primary and
secondary level is universal. In 2006-2007,
approximately 650,000 students were enrolled
at 1,256 public and private schools. About 60
percent of all students attend public schools.

Education reform focuses on better

preparation, greater accountability, higher
standards and improved professionalism. In
addition, rote instruction is being replaced with
more interactive forms of learning, and
English-language education is being integrated
into other subjects, such as math and science.
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the
Dubai Education Council (DEC) and the UAE
Ministry of Education are each tasked with
education reform, while preserving local
traditions, principles and the cultural identity of
the UAE.

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin

Zayed Al Nahyan established ADEC in 2005 to
develop education throughout the UAE. ADEC
takes an entrepreneurial approach to involve
the private sector, improve and modernize
facilities, reduce bureaucracy, update curricula
and take advantage of information technology.

ADEC enlisted Zayed University (ZU) to help

develop English-language skills of elementary-
level students at four model schools. Thirty
faculty members from ZU will work with the
first and fourth grade students at these
schools, observing and evaluating English
language teaching methods, and designing
modern academic programs. The initiative will
be extended to all schools at a later stage.

The Dubai Education Council (DEC) seeks to

meet global standards, focusing on
international accreditation and comprehensive
quality assurance programs. A recent initiative
is designed to attract world-class international
primary and secondary schools to Dubai.

The Ministry of Education develops and

monitors reform activities, with a focus on
standards-based, student-centered education.
These efforts include a partnership with
National Association of Elementary School
Principals in the United States. Activities
include:

• Audits of every public school in the UAE

• Evaluations of the system, from individual
schools up through the Ministry
• Ongoing professional development of
teachers and principals

Higher Education
The UAE is home to a wide range of
universities, both public and private. UAE
citizens can attend government institutions
free of charge, and the UAE has one of the
highest application participation rates in the
world. Ninety-five percent of all girls and 80
percent of boys enrolled in the final year of
secondary school apply for admission to a
higher education institution. UAE public
universities include:

• UAE University, where enrollment has

increased from 502 in its founding year
(1977) to nearly 14,740 in 2006. Women
represent 79 percent of the student body.
UAE University awards 70 undergraduate
degrees as well as some graduate degrees.
 Many of its programs are internationally
accredited. (www.uaeu.ac.ae)
• Zayed University (ZU), established in
1998 as an all-women’s institution, and
later expanded to include men. Organized
into five colleges—Arts and Sciences,
Business Sciences, Communication and
Media Sciences, Education, and Information
Systems, the primary language of
instruction is English. (www.zu.ac.ae)
• Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT),
the largest higher educational institution
with an enrollment of 16,000 UAE nationals.
Founded in 1988 with four campuses, HCT
now includes 16 men’s and women’s
colleges in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Madinat
Zayed, Dubai, Ra’s al-Khaimah, Sharjah
and Fujairah. The colleges offer more than
80 programs at four different credential
levels—Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor
and Masters. More than 10,000 of the
current students are female.
(www.hct.ac.ae)

Private Institutions
Some of the key private institutions include:
 • American Universities of Sharjah and
Dubai, both of which are also accredited in
the United States
• Sharjah University
•Ajman University of Science and
Technology
• Abu Dhabi University with campuses in
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
• Al Hosn University

The Masdar Institute for Science and

Technology (MIST) began accepting students
in 2009. MIST will be the Middle East’s first
graduate education and research university
focused on developing the next generation of
solutions to the world’s dependence on fossil
fuels.

Global Partnerships
A number of international universities have
campuses or programs in the UAE. Some are
housed in special zones, including Dubai
Knowledge Village and Academic City. These
are multi-university complexes that attract
students from the region who are unable to go
abroad to study. More than 25 universities are
located, or planning to be located, in these
special Free Zones.

Other special programs include:

• The Sorbonne opened its Abu Dhabi

campus in 2006 and will award
qualifications under French regulations and
standards set by the Sorbonne in Paris.
• New York University is the first
comprehensive liberal arts and sciences
campus with a robust research component
to be operated abroad by a major US
university. A temporary campus has
opened in Abu Dhabi. When the main
campus opens on Saadiyat Island, the
school will serve over 2,000 undergraduate
and graduate students, principally from the
Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and
Europe.
• Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of
Public Health is helping establish a public
health doctoral program in the Emirates.
• Other US institutions include the
University of Washington, Boston University
and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Technical Education
Founded in 1997, the Centre of Excellence
for Applied Research and Training
(CERT) is the commercial arm of the Higher
Colleges of Technology and provides education,
training and applied technology. The company
is the largest private education provider in the
Middle East and is developing projects
throughout the MENA region.

Other vocational and technical educational

centers are sponsored by the:

• Emirates Institute for Banking and

Finance
•Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Career
Development Center
• Petroleum Institute
• Dubai School of Government
• Emirates Aviation College for Aerospace
and Academic Studies

Special Education
The government of the UAE recognizes the
need to support students with special needs.
The UAE signed the optional Protocol to the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and Federal Law 29/2006
guarantees rights for people with special
needs. Vocational and rehabilitation centers
have been developed throughout the country.
In addition, efforts are made to include special
needs students in mainstream educational
settings. The UAE also participates in the
Special Olympics.
A partnership between the government of Abu
Dhabi and the New England Center for
Children, a Massachusetts school serving
children with autism, established a
comprehensive education program as well as
trains UAE nationals to provide services in
Arabic.

In our opinion, it is essential that you physically visit the nursery, school,
college, or university before your children sign up to study in Dubai, Abu
Dhabi, or other UAE emirates. A first-hand impression and your instincts
could be worth far more than any research you do on the internet, or
advice you receive from an educational consultant. If you live overseas,
flying to Dubai to visit the institute should be a worthwhile investment. If
you cannot do that, then try harder. If you still cannot make a visit, then
try and find a trusted friend or relative living in the UAE to go on your
behalf (no, mynewbestfriend338 that you met online last week doesn't
count).

Like most places, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the other emirates in the UAE have
a wide range of schools ranging from ones that students hate to ones they
simply dislike intensely. Homework is almost always given in sufficient
 quantities so that students begin to see child slavery as an appealing
alternative, and a wheelbarrow for all their textbooks would be a very
useful purchase. School buses are warm enough in the summer heat so
that if your wee darlings bring food with them, it will arrive at school
cooked to perfection.

Having said all that, not to worry. It is possible to find buses with
reasonable air conditioning and smaller books. Generally, you get what you
pay for. Kindergarten and primary school students will usually have a great
educational experience. Secondary school students will complain like they
do anywhere.

One of the great things about education and schooling in Dubai is the
opportunity to meet students from a variety of countries and cultures and
form valuable life-long friendships with them, as well as gaining a much
greater global awareness compared to reading a social studies book in your
home country. This effect is of course lessened if children attend a school
with predominantly one nationality eg the Icelandic school of snowmobile
maintenance and walrus wrestling (with apologies to any Icelanders
reading this). Focus on the benefits of getting educated in a Dubai or other
UAE school, and it will be a great time and a highly memorable experience.
But do investigate carefully where you're going before packing up, so you
don't wind up in an intolerable situation.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have the greatest number of schools, unsurprisingly,
and Sharjah and Al Ain also have a reasonable range of schools but it's
harder to find a good one. The smaller emirates of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain,
Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah have a limited number of options, and some
parents living in those emirates opt to send their children to schools in one
of larger cities.

School opening dates 2010-2011

Summer holidays for schools in the UAE will start later and finish later than
normal since Ramadan 2010 runs from mid August to early September
2010. The Eid Al Fitr holidays start when Ramadan is finished (UAE Ministry
of Education circular issued to schools 26 February 2010).

• UAE private and public (government) schools will end the 2009-
2010 academic year and close on Sunday 11 July 2010.
• UAE privates schools opening date for the 2010-2011 Academic Year
might be around Tuesday 14 September 2010 after the Eid holiday, but
confirm with the school since some schools will open much earlier.
• UAE government schools opening date will be Wednesday 15
September 2010 (changed from 12 September 2010) for students, and
teachers should report for duty on 12 September 2010 (changed from 05
September 2010) according to a WAM news reports 26 May 2010.
• Updated WAM news report on 07 September 2010 said
administrators should return on 04 Shawwal 1431 (Hijri calendar date)
which will be either 12 or 13 September 2010 depending on the start date
of Eid Al Fitr in UAE. Start date for students was unchanged.
• Government schools will change from 2 semesters to 3 terms for the
2010-2011 academic year, with a total of 180 school days.
• Indian, Pakistani, and Iranian schools with academic years that run
from April to March will still close and open on those dates for summer
hols.

UAE Government school dates 2010-2011 (private

schools might have different dates)
Examinations start
Start date End date
date
Term 1 15 September 2010 12 December 2010 19 December 2010
Term 2 02 January 2011 20 March 2011 27 March 2011
Term 3 03 April 2011 19 June 2011 14 July 2011

• Public school teachers are expected to return to work on 12

September 2010 (previously 05 September 2010)?

Schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & other emirates in the

UAE

For expats, children will often go to a private school catering to whatever

nationality and qualification preference you have, or an international school
with a more mixed student body. There are American and British
curriculum schools of course. But there are also Arabic, Australian, French,
German, Indian, Iranian, Japanese, Russian etc curriculum schools based in
Dubai and the UAE. Some of these schools are governed by the embassy of
that country (a total of 18 in the UAE in 2006).

The name of the school won't tell you very much on its own. It is not
unusual for schools in Dubai with Indian curriculums to be called an English
school of some sort. Dubai and UAE schools with an Arabic sounding name
eg Al Khubairat School will not necessarily have an Arabic curriculum.
Dubai schools with an international sounding name could well be solely
Arabic or Indian curriculum schools. Schools in the UAE with French
sounding names will be French though. Which, in an odd way, is quite
surprising.

Some names will sound a little odd. The Little Flock English School for
example obviously had admirable intentions but unfortunately it sounds like
an angry father had a hand in the naming process.

Ages and equivalent grades can vary a little. Some schools will have Year
13 as the final year (usually British curriculum schools), but other schools
will call it grade 12 (usually American curriculum schools). A rough guide is
in the table below.
 elementary / primary school
high / secondary school
System Age 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
American Grade KG1 KG2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
British Year FS1 FS2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
National Curriculum
KS0 KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5
(UK)
Class /
Indian I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Grade
International Grade KG1 KG2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

• Age in years is for student at the start of the academic year - about
01 September for most schools in the UAE, 01 April for Indian and Pakistani
schools. In the rest of the world, northern hemisphere schools start the
academic year in August/September, southern hemisphere schools in
January/February.
• Years 12 and 13 in the British system might also be referred to as
Lower Sixth Form and Upper Sixth Form
• There is some overlap between where a junior school ends and a
senior school starts - different schools have different start and end points.
• Terms often used in reference to school levels are:
o Elementary School - a US term for a school for
students aged about 4 to 12 years.
o High School - a school for students aged 11 to 17
years.
o Infant School - usually the first years of a UK primary
school
o Junior School - the later years of a UK primary school
o Middle School - US intermediate school between
elementary and high schools
o Nursery - for young children / toddlers (from 3 months
to 4 years or a range in between)
o Preparatory School - UK private primary school
o Public School - a government funded school in most
countries, a private school in the UK (go figure ...)
o Reception - the first years of a UK primary school (FS1
& FS2)
o Sixth Form College - a UK school for 16 & 17 year old
students, usually doing A-levels. None in Dubai.
• There is some overlap between where a junior school ends and a
senior school starts.
• FS1 means Foundation Stage 1, KG1 (or K1) means Kindergarten
year 1, KS1 means Key Stage 1.
• US schools often refer to first grade, second grade etc instead
of grade one, grade two etc.

Pre-school education and childcare in the UAE

• Nurseries operate for babies, toddlers, children, and brats up to 4
years of age and might include daycare and creche facilities. They operate
under the authority and licensing of the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs
(MOSA).
• Kindergartens are for children from 4-6 years of age, and operate
under the education authority in the emirate in which they are based. UAE
education authorities, councils, and zones, operate under the UAE Ministry
of Education umbrella. Even if it's not raining.
• Pre-schools (or preschools) might refer to nursery establishments or
kindergartens. But probably kindergartens.

A 30 July 2010 report in the Khaleej Times clarified that parents should not
have their children over 4 years of age in nursery establishments, based on
comments from Moza Salem Al Shoomy, Director of the Child Department
at the UAE MOSA, who said ...

• "Nursery schools are only concerned with early education, known as

day-care, and do not qualify children for preliminary stage. MOSA has
received several complaints from parents who could not register their
children in Grade-1 because they were enrolled at nurseries till the age of
six,"
• "Both nurseries and kindergartens have different licences, methods,
classes and requirements. Nonetheless, some nurseries put advertisements
offering kindergarten education and play tricks with parents who are not
aware of the procedures,"

Summer camps at nurseries in the UAE

A Khaleej Times report, 30 July 2010, about nursery and pre-school

education in the UAE, warned parents to be careful about sending their
children to summer camps at UAE nurseries. Nurseries are permitted to run
summer camps but with the appropriate authorisation from the UAE
Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA). Concerned parents could ask to see that
the establishment has the correct documentation. Or if they are concerned,
they can enquire at the UAE MOSA in Dubai on contact tel +971-4-
6011260, 6011263, or 6011259. Moza Salem Al Shoomy, Director of the
Child Department at the UAE MOSA said, according to the report ...

• "Some nurseries were found to be using improper plastic swimming

pools with no filters or sanitised water or following safety procedures,
which ended in many children's serious infection and illness."
• "Should any nursery school wish to hold a summer camp, they can
simply contact the ministry to get a No Objection Certificate and learn
about the right procedures, methods and tools. Nurseries can make
business but not at the cost of children,"

Expat students at UAE government schools

Expat students were able to attend government schools in the UAE, then
they weren't and had to attend private schools. Then in June 2006, the UAE
 government said that expat students could go to government schools
again. The Gulf News reported on 26 January 2007 that UAE Public Schools
would allow expatriate students to enrol from the beginning of the new
academic year (September 2007). Students may need to complete an entry
exam for Arabic, English, and Mathematics. Fees of 3000-6000 dhs per
year are payable.

Note that almost all UAE government schools educate students in Arabic
and offer local UAE qualifications which do not have much value if applying
for English-speaking Universities outside the UAE (and not so much for
some universities in the UAE either). Only students of Arab nationalities are
expected to apply for places at government schools. Latifa School for
Girls and Rashid School for Boys (both in Dubai) are two excellent
government funded schools where, although the majority of students are
Emirati, they are educated in English and follow a British curriculum. It is
difficult to get a place there (or a job as a teacher).

Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD, Autism, Down's

Syndrome, Dyslexic, and other Special Needs and
disabled children

For non-Arab expats, there are limited facilities for special needs children.
There are a number of government funded establishments but they are
usually restricted to Emirati nationals, or possibly Arab / Arab speaking
nationals. Most mainstream private schools will not accept special needs
students except possibly for mild cases of dyslexia. A handful of schools
might consider mild cases of ADD, ADHD, and autism. This situation is
improving though, some of the newer schools are making an effort to
establish special needs units or provide teachers and assistants with
appropriate training. There is also an increasing number of parent support
groups. The list of special needs facilities includes these schools and groups
if that information is available.

• Special needs Abu Dhabi - schools, support groups, and clinics

offering special needs services in Abu Dhabi
• Special needs Dubai - a similar list for Dubai
• Special needs UAE - UAE special needs facilities including Sharjah,
Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain. There appear to be no facilities in Umm Al
Qawain, Ajman for non-UAE nationals.
• Special needs UAE forum - add information about special needs
facilities not included in the lists above.

School fees in Dubai

• Information moved to Dubai school fees page.

Student information for schools in Dubai

• Students are expected to wear uniforms in most schools (one or two
of the American curriculum schools, French, German and other European
schools may not have this requirement).
• The school day usually starts between 0700 and 0800, and finishes
between 1400 and 1500 with a standard lunch break. KG and primary
students will normally have a shorter day. Extra-curricular activities run
later in the afternoons. Non-western curriculum schools might have have
two shifts with girls attending in the mornings and boys attending in the
afternoons.
• Strictly speaking, the UAE Ministry of Education requirements are
that students should be segregated according to gender. At least at
secondary level, and teachers should be the same gender as the class.
Most schools following a western curriculum however, have mixed classes
from K-12. Every now and then there is some discussion regarding stricter
implementation of the segregation rule but then the summer comes and
when students return, things seem to carry on as they were.
• UAE Ministry of Education requirements are also that Muslim and/or
Arabic students must study Arabic and Islamic Studies throughout high
school. Each school implements that in different ways - some expect all
their students to attend Arabic and Islamic Studies classes for example,
others exempt non-Muslims and non-Arabs. Check with the school what the
policy is.

Extra-curricular activities in Dubai schools

• Parents and students may find after-school options more limited

than they are used to. Sometimes because schools themselves focus more
on the academic curriculum. Sometimes because it's difficult to find
teachers who will volunteer for extra-curricular duties. The hot climate also
means that outdoor activities have to be shelved for several months a year.
• The schools with a good range of activities on offer tend to be the
well-established non-profit organisations with an active Parent-Teacher
Association and Board of Governors interested in the education of students
as a priority. Most of the private schools in Dubai and the UAE are profit-
making establishments, and the clash between business interests and
education seems to be most evident where extra-curricular activities are
involved.

Admission Requirements for Schools in Dubai

Usually a selection of the following documents will be needed to succesfully

register a child at one of the Dubai schools or colleges. Check with the
individual schools in Dubai for exact details - requirements differ between
schools, age groups and nationality.

• Passport copies with a valid residence visa or Khulasat Al Kaid for

Emiratis.
• Birth Certificate copies (check with school if English and/or Arabic
translation is required). If they're not in English and you're applying for the
first time to a school in the UAE, take them to the UAE embassy in your
country to have them attested before you leave.
• Passport photographs (less than a hundred should be enough).
• Health card or evidence of medical insurance.
• Vaccination card or immunisation record.
• Transfer Certificate from previous school. Check with school for
details - if coming from overseas, you will need to have a transfer
certificate certified by (if it's not in Arabic, authenticated translations will be
required - English maybe not):
o the education authority in that country (check with the
UAE Embassy if this step needed)
o the UAE Embassy in that country
o the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE
o the UAE Ministry of Education in the UAE or possibly
your country's embassy in the UAE
• Transcript/Progress Reports from previous school (same certification
process as for Transfer Certificates).
• Letter of recommendation or similar from previous school.
• Successful completion of any entrance tests/exams and personal
interviews.

Description of English curriculums and

qualifications

A-levels - Advanced levels (UK/British)

• Assessment by exams at age 17 or 18 (grade 12 or 13) after a two

year course of study in each subject.
• Students attain awards in individual A-level subjects and normally
do 3 at a time.
• AS-levels are a watered down version of A-levels and may be
completed in one year.
• Universities will specify minimum A-level grades required for entry
and in which subjects. Investigate carefully before making A-level choices
as it's not easy to change your mind later.

AP - Advanced Placement (US)

• Similar level to A-levels and IB although some would argue that APs
are easier.
• Prerequisites for entry to American universities.

CBSE - Central Board of Secondary Education (Indian)

• Governing body for a syllabus with exams at the end of class X and
XII in Indian curriculum schools.

CBSE-i (i-CBSE, iCBSE, CBSEi) - International CBSE

(Indian)
• A new CBSE International curriculum (CBSE-i/CBSEi/iCBSE) will
become available in Indian curriculum schools outside India for the 2011-
2012 academic year (starting April 2011 in UAE). The new International
Indian School in Dubai has said they will be offering the International CBSE
curriculum when they open (Khaleej Times 19 March 2010).
• The CBSE International (CBSEI) curriculum will be introduced in
classes I and IX in 2010-2011, classes II, VI, VII and X in 2011-2012, and
classes III, IV, V, VII, XI, and XII in 2012-2013 (not confirmed).
• Press reports said that Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human
Resource Development in India, launched the CBSE-International
curriculum in Dubai on Tuesday 25 May 2010 at the Indian High School of
Dubai.
• Sharjah Indian School is also reportedly introducing the CBSE-i from
2011.

GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education (UK /

British)

• Assessment by exams done at age 15 or 16 (grade 10 or 11), each

subject is a two year course.
• Students attain awards in individual GCSE subjects but it is common
to do up to 10 subjects at a time.
• Schools will have their own required list of subjects which will
probably include English, Maths, Science.

FBISE - Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary

Education, Islamabad (Pakistan)

• Administers Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher

Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) courses and qualifications in national
and international Pakistani schools.

IB - International Baccalaureate (International in

English, French, Spanish)

• Qualification gained after two years of study at senior levels - age

17-18 or grades 12-13. Courses can be done in English, French or Spanish
- depending on the school (currently, unlikely there are any French or
Spanish schools offering IB in the UAE).
• Well respected qualification around the world for entrance to
universities - some UK universities express a preference for it over A-
levels.
• To complete the full IB Diploma, students must complete courses in
6 different subjects and something called Theory of Knowledge, do
additional activities involving community work and sports/hobbies, and do
an original project/essay.
• Six subjects will be assessed with final exams. The course overall is
quite challenging and some of the Higher Level exams can be especially
difficult.
• Students need to be careful of any particular university entrance
requirements when choosing subjects. Not all subjects are equal depending
on which university attended.
• Students can do less than six subjects at IB level (depending on
school rules), they will receive IB certificates for each subject they
successfully complete.

IGCSE - International General Certificate of Secondary

Education (International)

• Similar to the British GCSE but intended for students of all

nationalities wishing to study in English and move on to an English
speaking University not necessarily in the UK.
• IGCSE itself is not a university entrance qualification (although
apparently some American universities do accept it) but usually leads on to
an IB or A-level course.

ICSE - Indian Certificate of Secondary Education

(Indian)

• Administered by the CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate

Examinations) for Class X (Class 10) students.
• ISC - Indian School Certificate.

IPC - International Primary Curriculum

NC - National Curriculum for England (UK / British)

• Sometimes referred to as just the "National Curriculum". The

abbreviation NCE is not usually used.
• The National Curriculum is program of study that was introduced
into schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland after the Education
Reform Act 1988.
• The NC consists of 4 'Key Stages' with educational goals to be
attained during each stage, and assessments at the end of each stage.
Subjects studied at each stage in the UK are:
o Key Stage 1 (KS1) age 5-7: Art and Design, Design &
Technology, English or Literacy, Geography, History, Information &
Communication Technology (ICT), Mathematics or Numeracy, Music,
Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE), Physical Education,
Religious Education, Science, Welsh.
o Key Stage 2 (KS2) age 7-11: same as for KS1.
o Key Stage 3 (KS3) age 11-14: Art and Design, Careers
Education, Citizenship, Design & Technology, English, Geography,
History, ICT, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, PSHE,
Physical Education, Religious Education, Science, Sex Education,
Welsh.
o Key Stage 4 (KS4) age 14-16: Careers Education,
Citizenship, English, ICT, Mathematics, PSHE, Physical Education,
Religious Education, Science, Sex Education, Welsh, Work-Related
Learning.
• UAE schools following the NC will not offer Religious Education, or
Sex Education. Welsh is unlikely to be offered - in the UK it is only a
requirement for schools in Wales. There may be other variations with the
UK NC guidelines.
• GCSE or IGCSE exams usually follow KS4.
• There is a Foundation Stage for 3-5 year olds (sometimes called Key
Stage 0 / KS0), and a Post 16 stage (sometimes called Key Stage 5 / KS5)
for 16+ but they are not compulsory education levels in the UK.
• The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is the governing
body for the National Curriculum, and associated exams and tests.

SSC - Secondary School Certificate (Indian)

• Indian state run curriculums/exams. Some regard the courses and

exams as easier than ICSE or CBSE.

UAE Education System

• Government schools in the UAE are segregated for boys and girls,
there are no mixed schools.
• Schools are divided into age groups - Cycle 1 (KG - Grade 5), Cycle
2 (Grade 6-9), Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12). Some schools will combine 2 or 3
cycles.
• UAE education reform - see the Abu Dhabi Private Public Schools
Partnership.

UAE Education Guide

• The UAE Education Guide, or UAE Educational Guide, is a printed

book directory of public and private schools and institutes, including
international universities accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher
Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR).

Private Tuition
See the Dubai tutor page.

Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll

Teenagers around the world show an enthusiasm for learning about sex,
drugs, and rock and roll that seems to far surpass their interest in
Fundamental Calculus and the Battle of Waterloo. This section isn't
intended to be alarmist but as a parent, keep in mind that the penalties for
getting caught breaking the law in the UAE can be much harsher than in
other countries. Teenagers have ended up in prison for drug related
offences (standard miminum sentence is 4 years). Sex or alcohol related
 offences are less likely to see your offspring locked up for a long time but
they could be deported, especially if crashing a car after drinking. Underage
drinking (minimum age is 21 years) in public bars is common enough, and
most teenagers seem to be more civilised about it than elsewhere -
perhaps a combination of the international mix of nationalities and
likelihood of harsher punishments keeps them subdued. That's not to say
there aren't unpleasant incidents - there are, but far fewer than in many
western countries. Here is a summary of our opinion of what the law says,
and related issues (note it is only an opinion, not any sort of legal advice
or moral point of view).

• Sex outside marriage is illegal in the UAE (at any age - adults are
not exempt).
• Public displays of affection (PDA) are frowned upon, especially in
Sharjah, and especially during Ramadan. A police warning would be more
likely than an arrest (unless you're unlucky, abusive, drinking / drunk,
naked, not in Dubai, or it's Ramadan - applies to adults too).
• If your daughter gets pregnant in Dubai (assuming she's not
married), you'll probably have to export her since unmarried mothers
usually end up in jail.
• The contraceptive pill is freely available at pharmacies without
prescription. Condoms are available at pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol
stations etc.
• A non-Muslim male getting involved with a Muslim female will be a
much greater issue for families and the authorities than a Muslim male
involved with a non-Muslim female. Emirati and Muslim females have
disappeared from school and the public eye when parents have discovered
their liasons. However, honor killings are very rare in the UAE.
• Minimum age limit for drinking alcohol is 21 years, and residents are
supposed to have an alcohol licence (permission to drink).
• Minimum driving age is 18 years (driving without a UAE driving
license could result in the car being impounded and at least a hefty fine).
• Maximum level of alcohol permitted while driving is zero (of any unit
you like).
• Drugs in the UAE - conviction of drug use or possession usually
carries a minimum 4 year jail sentence. Convictions can, and have, resulted
from blood or urine samples containing evidence of drug use, even when
drugs have been used outside the UAE. Some over-the-counter medicines
in other countries (codeine for example) fall into the illegal drugs category
in the UAE.
• Technically, secondary school boys and girls are supposed to be in
segregated education but most western schools don't take any notice of
that.

For the most part, the UAE, and especially Dubai, is generally reasonably
tolerant of western excesses. Just stay away from drugs in Dubai, and keep
your head down for the rest of it.

Last update Friday 15-Oct-2010

 Related pages

• ADEC Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Education Council)

• ADEZ Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Education Zone)
• Dubai Academic City - a collection of schools and tertiary institutes
in Dubai.
• Dubai Knowledge Village - a collection of tertiary institutes and
educational services in Al Sofouh, Dubai.
• Education authorities in UAE - list of educational zones for each
emirate
• KHDA school licensing - KHDA to license all schools in Dubai from
January 2008
• Ministry of Education in UAE
• Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
• Private tuition in Dubai - information, not a list of tutors
• School operators in Dubai - list of companies that operate schools
and nurseries in Dubai and UAE
• Teaching in the UAE - information for teachers
• Tuition fees in Dubai schools
• Schools in Dubai forum - for Dubai and UAE schools discussions
(and anything to do with education and teaching in Dubai).

• Special Needs Dubai - discussion topic about Special Needs children

in Dubai with some resource

UAE residents have an optimistic view towards education

system in the country. UAE has advanced in the field of
education within the past few decades.

There is a real awareness about education in UAE which

is constantly updating the policy and there is continuous
investment in education infrastructure which helps in the
country's development. Ministry of Education has
prepared a policy which shows the strategy for further
educational development in UAE.

The existing educational system was established in

1970s in UAE. This educational structure is a four-tier
system which covers fourteen years of education.
Primary and secondary education is provided for all UAE
citizens.
Education Structure in Dubai is shown as follows:

Nurseries in Dubai
Dubai has a large number of nurseries. Most of them
adopt variations of the Montessory method of instruction
and take English as a primary instruction language. Most
of the nurseries take children from two years old
onwards and some of them take children from age of 18
month onwards.

Kindergarten
At the Kindergarten level children are usually learn art,
music, religion, English, Arabic and math. Kindergartens
also offer all sort of other activities for their attendants.
Dubai has many English-speaking kindergartens and
most of them are situated in Jumeirah and Umm
Suquiem areas. Age level is from 4 to 5 years old for
kindergarten.

Primary
At primary level English is the medium of instruction
language in most of schools in Dubai. There are also
large numbers of schools which teach children in other
foreign languages, French, Hindu, even Russian. There is
also a wide range of foreign curriculums, from British
National Curriculum to Japanese system. For admission,
some schools conduct entrance tests and most of the
good schools also have a long waiting lists.

The new term in most of British schools in Dubai starts

in September. In all other schools new term begins in
April. During July and August all schools are closed for a
holidays. School uniforms, usually similar to European
and American Schools uniform. In most of the schools
timings are from 8 am to 2 pm with usually two or three
breaks. Average Fees is approximately Dhs. 3000 in
schools. Primary section is usually of six years and age
level is from 6 to 12 years.

Secondary
Dubai also has large number of international high
schools which offers to expatriates as well as domicile
residents large scale of curriculums- from Indian CBSE
to IGCSE. School uniform is similar to those in primary.
Compulsory subjects in most of the school include math,
social studies, physical education, religion and Arabic.
Pupil can choose subjects such as science, languages,
sociology, history, computer studies etc. The offered
subjects depend on school education system. An
average fee in private schools is varying up to Dhs
25000.

Secondary school period is generally of three years and

age level from 12 to 18 years. Certificate or diploma
awarded by Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Colleges and Universities in Dubai

The number of colleges and universities in Dubai has
grown significantly in last 20 years and every year the
number of their staff and students increases by about
30%. Most of the colleges and universities are affiliating
themselves to prestigious institutions abroad, and many
of them use English as tuition language. Postgraduate
Education in Dubai

A large number of Dubai's universities also offer various

master and PhD postgraduate programs. To learn more
about postgraduate programs in Dubai and see a full list
of universities and institutes that offer master and PhD
programs.
Technical Secondary School Length of programme is
about 6years and age level is from 12 to 18 years.
Certificate/diploma awarded: Technical Secondary
Diploma

Dubai has an extensive education sector. Government in

Dubai offers free education from kindergarten to
university to all its citizens and about 40% of children
attend private schools. For all children older then 5
years full-time education is compulsory and all primary
and secondary schools in Dubai, public and private, up
to ninth grade also have to follow universal and
compulsory program bases.