Sheikh Hamdan approves Dhs530m ‘Dubai Schools’ 6,400 seat expansion

Image credit: Getty Images

The UAE could have 15,000 school seats by 2033 after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, gave the green light for the substantial expansion of the ‘Dubai Schools’ project. As part of the expansion the project was awarded a budget of Dhs530m ($144.32m).

This strategic initiative is focused on fortifying the emirate’s education system, striving to create a world-class learning environment, reported WAM.

School seats to increase

The key emphasis of the expansion revolves around a significant increase in the number of schools and, notably, available seats. The investment will also be directed towards incorporating cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities, fostering an environment that champions innovation and creativity within the classroom.

As part of this undertaking, a new school will be set up in Al Khawaneej, while the Dubai Schools Al Barsha branch is currently undergoing substantial expansion efforts.

This ambitious move is expected to result in the addition of over 6,400 seats, accompanied by the establishment of 295 classrooms and 123 laboratories and specialised classrooms.

The Dubai Media Office, in a statement, confirmed that these developments will increase the total number of seats offered by ‘Dubai Schools’ to 15,000 by the year 2033.

Sheikh Hamdan said, “The new initiative to expand the ‘Dubai Schools’ project will contribute significantly to ensuring that the emirate’s school offerings not only meet but exceed global benchmarks of educational excellence.”

The ‘Dubai Schools Project’ expansion aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, an initiative launched by  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The overarching goal is to propel Dubai’s educational landscape to new heights, placing a strong emphasis on providing ample and enhanced school seats to cater to the growing educational needs of the community.

As part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, we are expanding the ‘Dubai Schools’ project with a budget of Dhs530 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

Dubai Schools Project

Sheikh Hamdan first launched ‘Dubai Schools’ in 2021, a project to provide an innovative school model to offer high-quality education at an affordable cost.

The project aims to create a new Emirati schooling system that provides a high standard of education rooted in national values. While preparing students for the requirements of the future job market, the new school model also seeks to deepen their Emirati, Arab and Muslim identity.

“Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision for education aims to provide quality education and raise national competencies to support the UAE’s sustainable development journey. His Highness’s lofty vision is focused on providing the specialised education that can develop students’ skills in alignment with the nation’s future aspirations,” Sheikh Hamdan further said.

“Today, we launched ‘Dubai Schools’, a new school model that will enrich Dubai’s educational system by providing schooling that can develop individuals that are nationally rooted and globally competent. The new initiative, which integrates a global curriculum, will contribute in developing the educational and life skills of students with a focus on Emiratis values and the Arabic language. The new model is designed to prepare students to lead and innovate and make valuable contributions to building the nation’s future,” he said.

Read: Dubai D33 agenda on track, GDP growth rises 3.3% from Jan-Sep 2023