REDEFINING EDUCATION: EXPLORING NEW AVENUES FOR BUSINESS IN THE UAE’S EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

This article was updated on June 21st, 2023

This article has been researched and written by Thomas McNelliey and the team at Creation Business Consultants and has not used AI in generating this article.

The educational sector for the GCC continues to grow and develop due to an increased preference for private schooling. Regional governments continue to invest and allocate a good portion of their budget to the educational and training sector. Development of this sector remains a priority for governments throughout the GCC. Regional governments realise the importance of investing in skills, training, and development to support employment opportunities and boost overall competitiveness.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) educational and training sector is on the rise, in particular Dubai. International higher education institutions in Dubai reported an 8% annual growth in the number of students enrolled bringing the total number of students enrolled in university programmes exceeds 30,000. Education and training market is one of the fastest growing industries in the GCC region. The GCC Private K12 Education Market size is estimated at USD 19,429.46 million in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 27,181.66 million by 2028, growing at a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.95% during the forecast period (2023-2028).

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT FIGURES 

• 639 public schools in the UAE.
• 580 private schools located throughout the 7 Emirates. Private schools constitute around 60% of the country’s schools and deliver education to about 500,000 students.
• 23,146 teachers within the public sector.
• 46,870 employed teachers in the private sector.
• 287,725 students currently attending public schools.
• 793,295 students attending or receiving private education.

“The wealth of any developed nation is its own educated citizens: progress of people and nations is measured by their level of education and its extent of dissemination among them.” The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

GCC EDUCATION INDUSTRY FACTS

• The UAE has the highest number of international schools in the world.
• The UAE and Qatar educational sector is expected to grow faster than any other GCC countries.
• Steady growth in the GCC’s education sector covering pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary and vocational segments across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar.
• The number of students in the UAE Higher education totalled 30,000 in April 2023.
• 216 new private schools (2022-2023).
• 1,167 training institutes and 70,504 total number of courses approved by KHDA.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EDUCATION & TRAINING SECTOR

The UAE and Qatar remain as top positioning countries for attracting private investors to the educational sector. International schools remain popular in the GCC due to the large presence of expatriates, along with the desire of citizens wanting to send their children to establishments offering good quality education.

Educational training and development programs are becoming a necessity for corporate organisations to differ and stand out from its competitors. Training expert Andrea Parry from Select Training comments “Developing and investing in employees can take your business beyond. In 2018, we witnessed an increase in organisations investing in employee training courses such as: improving customer services, advancing sales and negotiation”. Demand for training and development programmes along with UK and Australian recognised certifications are still highly sought after in the region. The businesses opportunities within the education and training sector are endless.

KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (KHDA) STATISTICS

British curriculum is the most commonly taught in the UAE schools. The official statistics are:

• 7% of Dubai’s GDP is generated by private school sector revenue.
• 6% student enrolment growth in the private sector.

The UAE offers a favourable investment climate by offering land for free or at attractive lease terms and financial support in the form of grants, student vouchers, and subsidies.

The quality of education is reflected in the existence of renowned schools and colleges in the country, including names: GEMS, SABIS, London Business School, Wollongong University, Murdoch University, Heriot-Watt University and New York University of Technology etc.

GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES

The UAE Ministry of Education has partnered with the World Economic Forum to expand the “Closing the Future Skills Gap” initiative in the region. The aim is to empower one billion people through improved education and economic opportunities by 2030.

The announcement was made during the UAE delegation’s attendance at the “Growth Summit 2023” held at the World Economic Forum headquarters in Geneva on May 2 and 3, 2023 with the theme of “Jobs and opportunities for all”.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with partners, especially the WEF in matters related to scientific research and development. It is also committed to exchanging knowledge and contributing to society’s development in various fields, such as humanitarian, social, cultural, and sports. It also aims to boost employment, encourage creativity and innovation, and promote community innovation.

He said, “Our focus in the Ministry of Education is on developing the education system and its outputs to improve skills and prepare people for leadership roles. Our goal is to keep up with the changing global economy and business sectors while also contributing to the development of national economies. The importance of the ‘Closing the Future Skills Gap’ initiative is reflected in its alignment of human skills with future needs and in supporting the achievement of a more just and inclusive world for future generations.”

At Creation Business Consultants, we specialise in providing comprehensive company restructuring services to help our clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the UAE. Our team of corporate structuring experts can guide you through every step of the process, from conducting a thorough analysis of your current structure to developing and implementing a tailored restructuring plan that meets your specific needs. Contact our Corporate Structuring Department for more information, email [email protected] or call UAE at +971 4 878 6240

Thomas McNelliey,
Business Development Consultant