Right school models will thrive: Expert

Dubai - Over 100 educators, investors, professional advisors, government regulators and key suppliers participated in the three-day event.

The region's school education sector opportunities are highly attractive and the right models will continue to thrive, an expert opined during an education forum held in Dubai.
Ashwin Assomull, partner at L.E.K. Consulting's Global Education Practice, made the remark during the International and Private Schools Education Forum (IPSEF) that started on Friday. Over 100 educators, investors, professional advisors, government regulators and key suppliers participated in the three-day event.
Ashwin addressed the recent negative chatter in the market and suggested that the best way forward is to focus on the data. "While a wider range of choices and access have increased competition - this does not imply that the market is doomed. In fact, we've seen some strong school openings/ ramp ups in the Dubai K-12 sector recently."
When asked about the recent closures of some schools in Dubai, Ashwin said: "An increase in supply is bound to lead to the exit of some operators - this is not a trend that is specific to K-12 education alone."
The IPSEF helps participants make connections with professional advisors, government regulators and key suppliers. The forum also provides a unique platform for schools and investors interested in establishing a new operation, either in their home territory or overseas.
Nalini Cook, head of research of the Middle East, ISC Research, said: "Dubai has the most number of students in international schools compared to any other country, including China. That's because partly as we have a large expat population here but also because we are seeing a move from local Emirati students towards international schools. Despite free government education, they are still choosing to pay for international education because they see the value in fluency in English and also in the access it gives them to higher educational institutes in foreign countries like the UK, Australia and the US."
Elise Tarvainen, director of learning at Finnish Isku Interior Oy, talked about key principles of student-centred learning environment design. "We need to focus on learning, instead of teaching, focus on the objectives and competencies rather than content and focus on the joy of learning. There is hard data that by changing some physical factors such as temperature, air quality in a learning environment you can make a difference."
The Middle East/Dubai edition of the IPSEF is part of a global series of the forum events, which include editions in China and London.
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai