“ THERE IS A CONCERTED FOCUS ON BRINGING IN HIGH QUALITY SCHOOLS, NOT FOR THE EXPATS, BUT FOR THE NATIONALS WHO ARE MOVING FROM THE PUBLIC INTO THE PRIVATE SYSTEM.”
ASHWIN ASSOMULL, LEK CONSULTING
for 3,500 students. Dubai-based Taaleem, one of largest K-12 operators in the Middle East, is set to open a third school in the city in 2024, the British School Jumeirah. The new schools join a solid base of premium schools
already in the city including Repton, the first British ‘brand’ school’, which opened in 2007; Nord Anglia, NLCS and Brighton College.
ABU DHABI: A BOOMING LOCAL MARKET Abu Dhabi also offers strong demand for international schools: Aldar Education (which owns and operates seven schools in the region, including Cranleigh) reports a 9% rise in admissions for the 23/24 school year. The city itself is half the size of Dubai, but it is the wealthiest emirate with the fastest-growing economy, according to the Department of Economic Development. It has 144 international schools with the British curriculum being the most popular. According to LEK, the super-premium segment is
strong here, but education providers need to cater for the local market. “Nationals are coming to international schools wanting a British education,” says Assomull. Repton is one of the longest established premium
schools in Abu Dhabi. It opened in 1992, while Brighton College followed in 2011 and Cranleigh in 2014. This September Nord Anglia will open its second school in Abu Dhabi, a purpose-built campus delivering the British curriculum. The American Community School is also building a new campus ready to accept students in 23/24.
UNLOCKING THE SAUDI POTENTIAL Saudi Arabia is creating the biggest buzz right now. Private international education is predicted to see strong growth over the coming years due to a young, highly educated and growing population, and an increase in high-income expats as more global companies set up headquarters in Riyadh. Education is also an important part of Saudi Vision 2030, the policy for diversifying the economy away from oil. The biggest difference between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
and Saudi, is that it is dominated by Saudis – not other nationalities. Of the 32.2 million population, 63% are under the age of 30 according to recent census figures. The population has increased by 34.2% since 2010. According to LEK Consulting, most growth will be
in the premium sectors, driven by Saudi nationals who have a preference for the international curriculum. “There is lots of excitement about Riyadh and big
changes are happening there,” says LEK’s Assomull. “There is a concerted focus on bringing in high-quality schools like Downe House, which opened in 2022, not for the expats, but for the nationals who are moving from the public into the private system. The question is around affordability.” Several school groups have entered Saudi Arabia
Students from The Arbor School
recently, including the UK-based Chatsworth Schools, under its international arm Blenheim, which has partnered with local property developer Fawaz Alhokair to open premium British schools. The first, Beech Hall, opens in September 2023.
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