'Dubai Schools' project gets AED 530 million boost

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved the expansion of the 'Dubai Schools' project with a budget of AED 530 million.

As part of the project, a new school is being established in Al Khawaneej, while the Al Barsha branch is currently undergoing expansion.

The expansion plan will contribute to adding over 6,400 seats, 295 classrooms and 123 laboratories and specialised classrooms. It will also raise the total number of seats offered by 'Dubai Schools' to 15,000 by 2033.

The initiative is aligned with the goals of the 'Dubai Social Agenda 33', which seeks to enhance the quality of education in Dubai and position it among the world’s top 10 cities.

Launched in March 2021, the 'Dubai Schools' project aims to provide an innovative Emirati schooling system that offers high-quality education rooted in national values, and at an affordable cost.

"The new initiative to expand the 'Dubai Schools' project will contribute to ensuring that the emirate’s school offerings meet and even exceed global benchmarks of educational excellence," said Sheikh Hamdan.

As part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, we are expanding the ‘Dubai Schools’ project with a budget of AED530 million to raise the total number of seats to 15,000 by 2033. We continue to prioritise investments in the education sector, since it is a vital driver of national… pic.twitter.com/wGCaB3Cnfe

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) January 30, 2024

Innovative Emirati Schooling System

The Al Khawaneej and Al Barsha schools are direct outcomes of the 'Dubai Schools' project. In its inaugural academic year, the project welcomed 1,205 students, then increased its capacity to 1,965 by the second year.

By the academic year 2023/2024, the number of enrolled students reached 2,580. The schools have a diverse student body, with representation from 38 different nationalities.

International Standards

The new school in Al Khawaneej, spanning 446,720 sq.ft., is designed to accommodate 4,028 students ranging from kindergarten to grade 12.

The state-of-the-art institution is being built in accordance with international standards, offering 149 classrooms and 71 laboratories and specialised classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technologies.

The school will feature an array of amenities, including three indoor pools, indoor sports halls, dedicated sports hall for early years, a football pitch and five outdoor courts. It will also house an 11,800 sq.ft. library, enhancing the overall learning environment.

The expansion of the Al Barsha branch will enhance its capacity by adding 2,408 seats through 98 new classrooms, resulting in a total capacity of 3,520 students upon completion.

The project will feature two indoor pools, including a semi-Olympic pool, along with a football pitch designed in accordance with international standards.

Additionally, the expansion will encompass two sports halls, seven outdoor courts, a library spanning 6,800 sq.ft. and 52 laboratories and specialised classrooms.

The Knowledge Fund Establishment and Dubai Municipality announced that the projects have achieved a 50 per cent completion rate, with both expected to be ready for the 2024/2025 academic year.