His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, affirmed that Dubai is steadily advancing towards enhancing its pioneering educational ecosystem—one that places the human being at the center of all priorities.
This approach, His Highness stated, draws inspiration from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, may Allah protect him, who has made investment in education and in people a foundational pillar of development. That vision has been translated into high-impact initiatives that position Dubai as a global hub for knowledge and learning, and aim to place it among the top 10 cities in the world in terms of education quality by 2033, in line with the Dubai Education Strategy 2033.
“With the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, we are building in Dubai an educational system that does not merely keep pace with the future, but actively shapes it—a system that upholds identity and values, meets the aspirations of tomorrow, prepares leaders of the future and pioneers of innovation, and empowers a generation of Emiratis who are fully aware of their national responsibilities and equipped with competitive skills,” said His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
A Visit to Dubai Schools – Al Khawaneej
His Highness made these remarks during a visit to Dubai Schools – Al Khawaneej, where he reviewed the latest developments in the school’s educational facilities and was briefed on the strategic plans of the Knowledge Fund Establishment for the development of the education sector in the emirate. He also attended part of a classroom session with students.
During the visit, His Highness reviewed the progress achieved by Dubai Schools, which have seen a significant improvement in academic performance among students since the project was launched.
“The partnership model between the public and private sectors in Dubai Schools reinforces our belief that building people precedes building infrastructure. Quality education empowers our youth and contributes to building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven society and economy. It is part of an exceptional educational system that supports the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 2033 and the Dubai Education Strategy 2033,” His Highness added.
A Visionary Investment
Accompanying His Highness on the visit were His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Steering Committee for Dubai Schools, and His Excellency Ahmad Julfar, Chairman of the Knowledge Fund Establishment and a member of the Steering Committee.
His Excellency Abdullah Al Awar, CEO of the Knowledge Fund Establishment, presented an overview of the institution’s achievements in supporting and advancing the education sector in Dubai. He emphasized the establishment’s strategic commitment to building an integrated educational system that aligns with the leadership’s vision and fulfills the goals of the 2033 social and educational strategies. The initiative aims to prepare future generations of Emiratis to actively contribute to building a knowledge economy and to lead the path toward sustainable development.
Dubai Schools: A Model of National Excellence
During the visit, Al Awar provided a detailed presentation about the Dubai Schools system, which now includes three branches in Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawaneej, and Al Barsha. The model has become a pioneering example of high-quality national education, built on innovative methodologies that integrate academic excellence with the reinforcement of national values and the development of future-ready skills—based on international best practices.
Exceptional Growth
The investment journey of Dubai Schools reflects exceptional growth: total investments surged from AED 62 million in 2021 to AED 1 billion in 2025, and are projected to reach AED 4 billion by 2033.
Performance indicators also reflect the model’s success:
-
The total capacity of the schools has reached 10,496 seats, distributed across 410 classrooms equipped with the latest educational technology.
-
Currently, 4,515 students are enrolled across the three campuses, benefiting from 97 advanced facilities, including educational, sports, and recreational infrastructure.
-
Student numbers grew from 1,200 in 2021 to 4,515 in 2025, with a target of 15,000 students by 2033—a testament to growing community trust in the educational model.
-
The schools achieved an exceptional 99% re-enrollment rate, reflecting a high level of satisfaction among parents and the success of Dubai Schools in delivering a world-class educational experience.
A True Public-Private Partnership
Dubai Schools exemplify a successful partnership between the government and the private sector in supporting education. Several leading national institutions have contributed to funding tuition initiatives and creating opportunities for high-quality education across all societal segments—reinforcing the principle of community investment in human capital.
Among the key partners are:
-
Dubai Islamic Bank
-
DAMAC
-
Emirates Islamic Bank
-
Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department
-
Emaar
-
The Endowments Foundation and Minors’ Affairs
-
Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group
-
DP World
-
Dubai Duty Free
-
Dubai Basketball
-
Dar Al Ber Society
A UAE Model for Educational Excellence
Dubai Schools, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, represent a cornerstone of Dubai’s educational landscape. They stand as a distinguished Emirati model that combines academic excellence, national heritage, and institutional innovation. The schools are a living embodiment of the leadership’s vision to build generations armed with knowledge, capable of competing globally, and contributing meaningfully to Dubai’s position as a world-class education destination—aligned with the goals of the Dubai Education Strategy 2033.
The system is operated by Taaleem Holdings, a private-sector company, as part of a strategic partnership with the Knowledge Fund Establishment. This partnership reflects one of the UAE’s most successful educational governance models—linking community investment with educational expertise to ensure delivery of high-quality learning in accordance with the highest international standards. It reinforces the UAE’s status as a global center for knowledge and innovation.
