Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) took action to support the creation of approximately 6,000 additional school places in the private school sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during the 2009-2010 academic year. ADEC works closely with private school investors to encourage the ongoing development of school capacity in the private sector in order to ensure sufficient supply to meet the demand of school places by the Emirate’s growing population.
Eleven new schools were opened between April and September 2010, producing an approximate capacity of 5,400 places. Existing schools were also permitted to increase capacity by approximately 600 places in total, with Abu Dhabi Indian School accounting for an increase in 400 places to match the particularly high demand of Indian curriculum schools.
In addition to this immediate increase in school places, forward-looking action was taken to support the development of future schools. ADEC issued 29 licenses for new schools, granting approval for school operators who provided strong financial and operational proposals and demonstrated the ability and commitment to meet ADEC’s quality education standards.
Out of these 29 schools, 21 have applied to establish in Abu Dhabi and eight in Al Ain. The curriculum break down is expected to include: ten of British curriculum, 12 of US-International curriculum, four of Indian curriculum, one of Australian curriculum, one of Canadian curriculum, and one with UAE Ministry of Education curriculum.
A number of these licensed schools have already taken the next step in the application process and applied to the land allocation committee for land that meets their capacity specifications. Eight schools were allocated land plots during the 2009-2010 academic year period and have already begun or are expected to begin construction this year. The land allocation committee is a cross-government body that includes representatives from ADEC, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, Urban Planning Council, and the Department of Economic Development.
Yousif Al Sheryani, Executive Director of Private Schools & Quality Assurance Division at ADEC, said: “Private sector development is an important priority for ADEC, as specified in ADEC’s 10-Year Strategic Plan. We are proactively working to attract various investors to establish high-quality private schools that cater to the needs of the Emirate’s diverse population. We are also in the process of developing best practice licensing policies and procedures for the private school sector to provide a professional and efficient infrastructure to encourage the continued development of new schools.”
“As we look to the future, we consider it important to use population and demographic studies to make informed and strategic decisions to ensure that the locations and curriculums offered are aligned to the specific demands for new school places.”
