International school operators are looking to the Middle East for future growth
Dubai - Dubai topped list of leading international cities in the world for international schools with 281
Published: Mon 28 Aug 2017, 8:43 PM
The UAE has the largest number of students studying in English international schools with 602,800 enrolees, a study has revealed. Saudi Arabia landed in the second place with 288,300 students, followed by China with 256,000 students.
The data was released by ISC Research, ahead of the IPSEF Forum Middle East, where it will make a presentation on the growth of international schools in the Middle East region.
"This development shows how increasingly important education has become in the Middle East, with governments across the region providing the right infrastructure and support for international schools to thrive," said Rhona Greenhill, co-founder of IPSEF.
Additional data from ISC Research shows that Dubai topped list of leading international cities in the world for international schools with 281, followed by Abu Dhabi with 151.
UAE's international education
. 602,800 students in international schools (over 40% of all UAE students)
. 281 international schools in Dubai
. 151 international schools in Anu Dhabi
. 596 international schools in total
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As a country, however, the UAE slipped to the second spot with the most number of English international schools with 596 - just behind China, which leads the global market with 620.
International school operators are looking to the Middle East for future growth, with the school population expected to reach 15 million by 2020. More than 50,000 schools will be needed to address the gap, which will be met largely by state-funded and operated schools.
"But international schools will play a significant role, not just in filling a small part of the need, but more importantly in providing a world-class education that will hopefully yield competitive future university graduates who will provide manpower that is much needed in the region's still developing economies," added Greenhill.
Other studies have shown that both local and expatriate populations in the GCC, in general, are willing to bear the high cost of education at the international schools.
In the UAE, there is a general preference for the British and American curriculum, along with curricula offered by India and international baccalaureate schools.
Dr Warren Fox, chief of Higher Education at Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), noted Dubai's increasingly important role as a leading regional education hub.
Dubai has witnessed an average growth of over 10 per cent in student enrolment in the last decade. Over 40 per cent of all students in Dubai currently study at international campuses, which reflects Dubai's appeal as an attractive higher education destination.
Dubai is also home to the largest number of international campuses in the world.
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