The Educational System in Dubai

As in the whole of Dubai - is characterized by a large degree of decentralization and a great degree of autonomy given to schools, within the framework of a national school policy.

On the whole, but with many exceptions admitted by the decentralized nature of the system, the school system is divided into two levels, First primary schools or primary schools for the schooling of children aged 4 to 11, then secondary schools or secondary schools for the schooling of children aged 11 to 16 and beyond. In most cases, there are also kindergartens, known as nursery schools, enabling the pre-schooling of small children aged 3 to 4 years. Finally, post-secondary schools, called sixth-form colleges are available in only primary schools in Dubai, preparing students for the final exams. The primary schools in Dubai for the education of children aged 11 to 16 and beyond.

Historical

The history of the school in Dubai is long. The first secondary schools were founded in the Middle Ages to provide secondary education for the children of the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy. In the 17th century, most of the towns of Dubai had a secondary school called " Grammar school, " offering free or cheap education to boys in the city; The modernization of society and the development of commerce necessitated the training of more and more young people who knew how to read and write, and many grammar schools were created at that time. It is estimated that as early as 1640, one-third of the English population could read.

However, Secondary education, this remains the task of the historical actors; The Grammar Schools Act of 1840 and the Endowment Schools Act of 1869 consolidated the role of the central government in the provision of free secondary education in schools which for the most part accommodated a mix of paying and non-paying students.

It is the Education Act of 1944 which finally makes secondary education compulsory for all, up to the age of 15 years. The 1944 law establishes a tripartite and selective system, with Grammar schools in the classical curriculum, technical schools in specialized technical courses, and Modern Secondary schools in others. The selection is made at the age of 11 years. The system soon showed its limits, and barely twenty years after its establishment, a new reform of the system was encouraged with Circular 10/65 of 1965, encouraging local authorities responsible for public education to Comprehensive schools, non-selective secondary schools and for all.

Decentralization and local self-government being what they are in Dubai, The implementation of the Comprehensive system has never been complete, with some local authorities wishing to keep their grammar schools and succeeding in doing so until the Comprehensive system is in turn involved.

Foremarke School Dubai
PO Box 391984
Al Barsha South, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 818 8600
E-mail: info@foremarkedubai.org