Despite the recent oil crisis in the UAE and reports of qualified English teacher shortages, the UEA is now three schools ahead of China with 548 English-medium international schools according to data published in the new Market Intelligence Report for International Schools in the United Arab Emirates by ISC Research, a provider of data on the international schools market.

UAE International Schools

The two emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi dominate with 260 schools in Dubai and 191 in Abu Dhabi. More schools are under construction with 14 due to open during 2016 including GEMS International School in Mudon, Canadian International School in Dubai, and Sunmarke School in Jumeirah Village. Several more schools are in various phases of development. In Relocate Global’s new annual Guide to International Education and Schools we look in depth at the challenges facing employees and their families relocating to the region. While the number of international schools is steadily growing, so is demand for places and families can find that they struggle to secure a place at their preferred school due to long waiting lists.The UAE international schools are host to a staggering number of students. According to the ISC report, the total number of students aged between 3 and 18 attending English-medium international schools in the UAE is 545,074. This is the highest enrolment of any country in the world by a significant margin (Saudi Arabia follows with 260,989).There are several reasons why student enrolment is so high at international schools in the UAE. Major factors include the wealth of the country, an extensive expatriate population, demand for high quality, English-medium education by both expatriates and wealthy locals, plus the fact that the governments of Dubai and Abu Dhabi allow unlimited enrolment of local children at international schools. According to the ISC Market Intelligence Report, Emirati students comprise the single largest student nationality (25 per cent) with the exception of Dubai where they are outnumbered by Indian children (29 per cent).  

Relocate Global Guide to International Education and Schools

In February this year, on the occasion of the launch of Relocate Global's Guide to International Education and Schools, education experts and school leaders, as well as HR and relocation professionals, assembled at London’s Institute of Directors to discuss these emerging education trends and tackle some of the unique issues that internationally relocating families face when selecting a new school for their child.One of the liveliest sessions addressed the unique challenges for globally mobile families of finding the right school on relocating to a Middle Eastern country. Delegates heard from Diane Glass, Business Development Director of International School Consultancy, Heather Mulkey, group marketing and admissions officer at the International School of London (ISL) and Mark London, Head of Marketing for ACS International Schools.According to the ISC, demand for international school places in the region will continue to increase substantially.  But, the report also suggests that the Northern Emirates, which currently have 29 international schools, represent a potential growth market for the UAE where new developments have been emerging over the past two years.

Qualified UK teacher shortage in the UAE

Another issue raised by the report is the increasing concern about access to enough qualified teachers with skills and experience from the UK. 47 per cent of the international schools in the UAE follow a British curriculum and 73 per cent offer IGCSE, GCE AS and/or GCE A levels.The report cites less competitive teacher salaries in the UAE than many other countries, plus a drop in the number of people applying to enrol for teacher qualifications in the UK for this concern. “If the number of qualified teachers…begins to dwindle,” says the report, “schools will find it difficult to expand.”However, the ISC Research UAE Market Intelligence Report concludes that the international schools market in the UAE is flourishing. “Further growth is inevitable, spurred by increasing demand from both the expatriate community and from local families.”Watch the video showing highlights of the International Education Forum hereContent includes informative, engaging features and practical advice on choosing a school and curriculum choices in relocation destinations around the world, including the UK, the USA, Canada, Europe, China, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Middle East. Directories of schools, school associations and suppliers are also included.

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