Scramble starts for Dubai school admissions for 2015-16 session

The first semester for Dubai schools following the International Baccalaureate, British and American curriculum is still not over, but the admission procedure for the next year has already begun.

Several schools in the emirate have begun sending out notices to parents about the admission procedure. This first phase of admissions targets siblings (who have an older brother/s or sister/s already studying in that respective school).

The sibling registration and assessment process has already begun with several schools that are now accepting applications expected to close the list before the approaching winter break.

Siblings are given preference when it comes to admission and seats, if left vacant, are then offered to the general public.

Many parents complain that such a policy only makes it harder for other kids to get enrolled in schools, especially the popular ones.

Since the number of seats is limited, most schools in Dubai have long waiting lists, only adding to the scramble.

Some expat parents put their kids on a waiting list as soon as possible to avoid disappointment whereas others who miss out avoid relocating their families to Dubai unless they can secure a place for the child in a reputed school.

Many parents register their first kid early on and try their luck with many schools to make sure that the child is not left out. However, this means paying non-refundable registration amounts to several schools, which parents say is another financial burden.

Moreover, this registration money is only valid for a specific period of time for the child to be on the waiting list after which the parents have to pay again to ensure that the name is not removed from the list.

“My child has been on the waiting list of a reputed British curriculum for three years but we still haven’t got a place. I’m not happy with his current school and want to move him to this good school but there seems no hope. At the same time, my friend’s second child secured a seat because she has an older sister studying there,” said a German mother living in Dubai without wishing to be named.

As more families move to Dubai, the demand for new schools is on the rise and many are opening up each year to cater to the growing number of students.

According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the regulator for Dubai’s private schools, in addition to the 158 existing private schools, 11 more have opened recently, providing a further 23,000 student places. Over 243,700 students have enrolled in private schools for the 2014/15 academic year.

Over the next five years, more schools are expected to open their doors to students, easing the admission process. As per KHDA figures, there will be 360,000 school places available by 2020, offering hope to new parents in the city.

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