The private education sector in Dubai is experiencing rapid growth for the academic year 2025-2026, with the inauguration of 16 new early childhood centers, 6 new private schools, and 3 prestigious international universities opening their doors to students across various fields of study.
These educational establishments are set to enhance the capacity of the private education system in the emirate by providing 11,700 additional school seats and over 2,400 early childhood places. This development will offer families a wider array of educational choices, enrich the learning experiences of each student in Dubai, and further solidify the city’s status as a leading global destination for high-quality education.
The new schools are distributed as follows: five schools will follow the British curriculum, including GEMS School for Research and Innovation in Dubai Sports City, Victory Heights Primary School in City of Arabia, British School of Dubai – Mira, Dubai English Speaking School in Academic City, and Al-Fanar School in Nad Al Sheba. Additionally, there is one school implementing the French curriculum, the French International Private School in Mudon.
Curricula
The new early childhood centers will provide a variety of curricula, with 11 centers adopting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, 3 centers implementing a creative curriculum, while one new center will focus on the Montessori approach and another will adopt the Maple Bear curriculum. This initiative is in response to the increasing demand from parents for diverse and high-quality educational options in early childhood.
The higher education sector is also witnessing significant growth with the addition of esteemed academic institutions, notably the Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad, which ranks 27th globally in QS’s business management specialization, the American University of Beirut at 237th worldwide, and Faqih Medical Sciences College from Saudi Arabia.
Aisha Abdullah Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, stated, “The private education system in Dubai continues to grow in size, quality, and diversity.
The opening of these new schools, early childhood centers, and international universities this year reflects the significant confidence investors have in Dubai, aligning with the goals of the Dubai Education Strategy 2033 to ensure high-quality education for every student throughout their educational journey.
Attracting reputable international institutions and innovative educational models will create new opportunities for our students to thrive while supporting the objectives of Dubai’s 2033 plan and its economic and social agendas.”
Currently, the private education sector in Dubai encompasses 331 early childhood centers, 233 schools, and 44 higher education institutions.