There are both public and private schools in Dubai. Private schools account for 90% of education. There are American, British, French or other curricula. French Baccalaureate is an example.

There are a number of government-owned schools in Dubai. The language of instruction in public schools is Arabic, while English is often taught as a second language.

There is a perception that international schools are better than public schools. The UAE government is working to reform the emirate’s public education system so that it will match the standards of private schools.

All students who are not of Arab origin must take Arabic language classes until grade 9, or up to age 13. There are options for national curriculum including Canada, the US, UK, Russia, Japan, Iran and more. the school week is from Sunday to Thursday.

Ex-pat children education

Until 2015, ex-pat children couldn’t attend public schools in the UAE. This accounts for a large number of private schools. Places for primary school students may be limited and the parents usually apply early to secure a spot at their preferred school.

Nurseries in Dubai.

There are a wide variety of nurseries in Dubai. If you plan to return home and resume your child’s education at some stage you should choose a nursery that offers your national curriculum. Also, look for a nursery that offers courses in the language of your choice. Many nurseries15 are affiliated with schools or school groups, so you may want to choose a nursery that offers your child priority for your preferred school.