Education leaders in Dubai have welcomed a plan to establish 60 new affordable schools over the next eight years, a move expected to increase parental choice and elevate the city’s overall standard of schooling. The initiative, approved by the Dubai Executive Council, aims to provide high-quality education for approximately 120,000 pupils over the coming decade.
A Strategic Vision for Education
The plan is a central component of the Dubai Education Strategy 2033, which has a goal of positioning the emirate among the world’s top ten cities for educational quality. To stimulate investment in the affordable school sector, the government will offer incentives such as discounts on fees and land leases. This support is designed to help operators establish lower-cost institutions without compromising on academic standards.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, said the initiative aligns with his organisation’s long-standing mission. “GEMS Education has been a pioneer in accessible, high-quality schooling since 1968,” he stated, noting the group currently serves over 80,000 students in affordable schools across the UAE. He added that when more families can access quality education, it “strengthens communities, promotes stability, and gives every child the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Balancing Cost with Educational Excellence
A consensus among educators is that the initiative’s success will depend on carefully balancing affordability with quality. Varkey cautioned that the primary challenge will be maintaining high standards while keeping costs down. “The real challenge will be maintaining quality while keeping education affordable, ensuring that schools can continue to invest in great teachers, digital tools, and holistic programmes,” he said.
Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools, explained how his institution has achieved this balance through a not-for-profit model. The school, which charges an average of Dh550 per month, has not increased its fees in seven years. “We have curated a model that is based on optimising operational efficiencies, long-term vendor contracts, developing ancillary revenue channels, and strategic planning,” Vasu said. He also emphasised that true affordability extends beyond tuition to include costs for transport, books, uniforms, and extracurricular activities.
Challenges and Opportunities for New Schools
While the policy has been praised, school leaders identified potential hurdles. Vasu suggested that maximising the use of existing resources, such as school buildings outside of regular hours, presents a significant opportunity. However, he noted that the “biggest challenge affordable schools face will be retaining and recruiting outstanding talent.” He also proposed that a different quality assurance framework could be developed specifically for affordable schools, rather than evaluating all institutions by the same criteria.
Pretty Khosla, Executive Principal at Apple International Community School, agreed that balancing cost with quality will be crucial. She believes the expansion will bring healthy competition and greater choice for parents. “More schools will bring innovation, healthy competition, and greater parental choice,” she commented. “Collaboration and shared best practices will be key to sustaining high standards.”
A New Era for Inclusive Education
Noufal Ahmed, Founder and Managing Director of Woodlem Education, described the government’s policy as a “game changer” that signals a new era for inclusive private education. His institution, Hampton Heights International School, offers a British curriculum with monthly fees from Dh800 to Dh1,200. “It will allow more families to access private education, giving children better learning opportunities and building a more inclusive, competitive education ecosystem,” Ahmed said.
While acknowledging that affordable schools will face challenges in managing teacher quality and finances, Ahmed expressed a positive long-term outlook. He anticipates the policy will lead to greater diversity, innovation, and accessibility across Dubai’s education sector, ultimately benefiting families throughout the city.
