In the UAE has a multitude of private schools that offer programs from all over the world. Most popular choices include the British curriculum, which spans from an early Foundation Stage through GCSE and A-Levels. They also offer American, Australian, French and Indian.
The main curricula available in the UAE include British, American and IB There are a lot of alternatives, and if the top three do not appeal to you explore other options.
Do you want to learn more about curricula, and how to pick the right one? It is possible to avoid confusion by conducting your research carefully.
“There are many great resources online where parents can gather more information about the different curricula offered here in the UAE,” Asia Diaz of Clarion School says.
“It’s essential to be aware of your kids and the way they learn. Do they require an environment that is structured? Are they more imaginative? Are they academically inclined? Knowing what your kids are like will aid you in determining the curriculum and schools that will best suit the needs of your children. It’s difficult to discern your children’s preferences at the tender stage of 3 or 4 years old, however, there will be something that stands out.”
Make your decision about the curriculum based on the length of time you plan on living at the UAE. Your decision should allow your children to move to an educational institution in your country of origin following the sequence of grades and not skip or delay the grade. In the end, you want the children you choose to challenge them and be actively engaged in their education.
With all these in mind, we’ve laid out the different curricula options that are available across the UAE to assist you in making an informed decision on what one will suit your child most.
AMERICAN CURRICULUM
The curriculum isn’t designed to lock children into a particular system they must continue to follow until Grade 11 or 10. It is encouraged for students to learn an array of subjects until they reach university and the curriculum isn’t focused on in-depth studies.
It is important to consider the individual development of each child, and therefore, areas that aren’t taught can be revisited.
There is however no uniform core curriculum monitoring since it is a flexible system and states are able to follow their own curriculums. There aren’t “sudden death” exams as the curriculum is based on continual evaluation throughout the year.
Since there aren’t any set standards, however it is possible that the standard of instruction offered can differ, even within the handful of American curriculums that can be located within the UAE.
Pros
- Students are able to transfer to and out of US institutions in Dubai.
- Students are able to repeat their subjects in the event of failure.
- There is continuous evaluation, which helps ease the stress of preparing for important exams.
Cons
- There is no uniform assessment of performance (US curricula differ widely between states).
- It’s not as focused on in-depth studies than other curriculum.
AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM
The curriculum is built on the notion that each student can be taught in the same way and the learning needs of each student are equally significant. This philosophy allows high expectations of every student since teachers are able to assess the learning levels of each student. This approach is designed to help develop the students’ essential skills so that they can become competent and successful individuals as they move into their professional careers.
Assessment is done on the basis of project-by-project.
There is less focus on specific contents and more focus on the process, specifically higher-order thinking and inquiry.
The curriculum also offers students many choices in academics.
The curriculum is comprehensive and includes an emphasis on academics, and the degrees earned through Australian schooling are recognised by most universities.
Pros
- The standards are extremely high and the curriculum is comprehensive with an academic focus recognized worldwide.
- It’s a broad program with an array of choices.
Cons
- The number for schools within Dubai is very limited.
BRITISH CURRICULUM
Students are taught to think for themselves develop opinions, form opinions, communicate to other people and develop confidence in being accountable for their decisions and actions.
The British curriculum is broken down into a variety of year blocks, called Key Stages along with The Early Years Foundation Stage, that covers children who are in preschool.
The phrase “British School” does not necessarily mean that the school follows what is known as the British curriculum. GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level qualifications are recognized internationally and respected. They are recognized by the majority of universities in the world due to the fact that it is the British curriculum is strictly managed education system.
There are reports suggesting that the standards for marking overall have been lowered in recent years.
Pros
- The curriculum is subject to the same British government standards that all schools within the UK are required to follow.
- Students are studying for certificates that are recognized all over the world.
Cons
- Recent reports have suggested that marking standards have slipped.
FRENCH CURRICULUM
The curriculum follows the program of study created through the French Ministry of National Education and is recognized from The French government.
In the Kindergarten stage (ages from two to the age of six) at the age of two to six, French ecole maternelle is not just an elementary school for children The curriculum includes writing and reading along with numeracy and occasionally an additional language, and creative activities.
Primary school comprises five classes for kids aged 6 to 11. Its French Primary school’s curriculum includes literacy as well as numeracy. Classes include French Arithmetic, geography and history, the arts, and English.
The college curriculum (ages 11-15) comprises French and maths, as well as history geography, geography, music or art and physical education, as well as civic education, and a few science subjects.
This is an ideal alternative for students from French origin looking to pursue their studies in France However, the number of schools is very limited if you choose to remain within the UAE.
Pros
- In kindergarten, children are taught literacy, numeracy and sometimes , a foreign language, along with creative activities.
- It is evaluated by the cost of to the French tax payers, of the French taxpayer, so French government takes an ardent of the academic standards.
Cons
- While French colleges are a viable choice for students between the ages of 11-15 There are a few options within the UAE.
INDIAN CURRICULUM (CBSE AND ICSE)
There are two options for Indian education in Dubai There are two options: the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE).
Both choices of curriculum have the highest standards and are difficult for students.
The CBSE is considered to be more academic in its approach, by dividing each syllabus into parts that are that are taught all through the school year. This method lets students balance the various aspects of their study. It is thought to be extremely difficult academically, there are a lot of information that must be recalled.
In both systems The academic standard for both systems is exceptionally high, with the concentration on the fundamental subjects like sciences, maths, and languages.
But this traditional Indian system has been criticized for its emphasis on the grading of exams and repetition of information, instead of encouraging students to improve their problem-solving abilities by studying.
Pros
- The academic standards are incredibly high.
- The emphasis is on the core topics.
Cons
- The curriculum is challenging academically, and there is a lot of facts to be absorbed.
- A focus on exams implies that less attention is paid on problem-solving and reasoning.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)
The program begins at FS1 (three three years of age) up to sixth grade. Its Primary Years Programme, which is designed for children who are in Grade 6, provides an integrated curriculum, which allows children to develop their knowledge with guided discovery and organized inquiry.
Children adopt an active approach to learning, participating in team-based projects which require them to utilize many skills at the beginning including public speaking and the creation of presentations.
The course focuses on acquiring the personal qualities that students require to be successful after high school and not simply academic accomplishment. Students must also prove that they can handle the load.
Pros
- This curriculum encourages pupils to adopt an active role in their learning through teamwork and other skills that are incorporated into the curriculum.
- Pupils are assessed by moderators and teachers, and the standards are generally high.
Cons
- Students are faced with an overwhelming workload, and many are struggling to cope with it, particularly in the later stages.
