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Private schools in Dubai are almost full

Despite 11 new schools adding 20,000 seats in the emirate, parents might still find getting admission to wards a tough ask

Private schools in Dubai are reporting brisk business with parents queuing up for admission to their wards. Several private schools are carrying forward a backlog of previous waiting lists, with Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) trying to increase the number of school seats in an attempt to meet the demand.

In latest figures provided to Khaleej Times, the education regulator reported a capacity utilisation of 89.6 per cent in Dubai’s 158 private schools. A record 11 new schools opened this academic year, adding 20,000 additional school seats with more schools expected to open this year.

For parents, the new schools represent more choices. However, with most schools charging in excess of Dh20,000 per year, enrolling in low-cost schools is still a difficult task for most parents.

Clive Pierrepont, director of Communications at Taleem, said, “Our newer schools have availability in most years and grades. The more established schools have waiting lists, which vary depending on the number of applications. We formulate a realistic wait list to avoid giving people false hope. We give them a realistic picture of the seat availability. It is often difficult because you are coping with a demand that cannot easily be calculated or second guessed.”

Each school charges a registration fee, which is usually non-refundable. Applying to multiple schools can be an expensive affair, with some schools charging as much as Dh500 for registration — without any guarantee of admissions.

“This academic year is a game changer where parents do have a choice because of new schools that have opened this year, many of which are giving incentives and discounts to sign up. Next year, 30,000 new school seats are expected to add capacity and we expect that there will be more equilibrium in the market where the demand-supply gap shrinks,” he added.

The KHDA projections estimate the demand for school seats will continue to increase over the next few years. The increasing school seats have failed to reduce waiting lists at top schools, with well-established schools still facing a supply shortage.

“At the top end of the scale, our current Dubai British School (DBS) in the Springs, The Greenfield Community School in DIP and Jumeira Baccalaureate School have wait lists for siblings. We have opened a new Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park for Years 1 to 6 that will go through to Year 13 eventually. We see the strongest demand mainly for places in the Foundation Stages, Kindergarten and Primary Grades,” explained Pierrepont.

For newer education providers entering the UAE market, parents have responded positively. The Springdales School in Dubai opened in 2013 and the school is reporting 100 per cent enrolment in its second year.

“We are at 100 per cent capacity utilisation in the second year itself and our expansion into Phase 2 will be completed by February. Any new school will not have full capacity utilisation in the first year. The target is achieved over time. With our extension, we will be able to accommodate more students this year,” said Farooq Wasil, CEO of Goldline Education Group.

“Schools have their own admission criteria. Admission to our school is based on a student being able to complete a literacy and numeracy test which is appropriate for the grade and student’s age,” explained Dr Wasil.

Schools reach their maximum capacity following regulatory approvals which take time. New schools are allowed to increase grades.

It remains to be seen whether the KHDA’s ambitious plan to allow more schools to open in Dubai will reflect in shorter waiting lists for parents.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com