According to the KHDA's 2024–25 assessment on the private school environment in Dubai, more British curriculum schools launched this academic year.
37% of children in Dubai's private schools are enrolled in British-curriculum institutions, indicating that families continue to favor the UK curriculum. Over the past year, the number of Dubai's Ministry of Education (MoE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) schools has decreased, while the number of schools following other curricula has remained constant.
This shift may reflect the confidence placed in more traditional academic frameworks supported by the rise of KHDA-approved teacher training institutes in Dubai, which prepare educators to uphold rigorous UK standards. Does this imply that Dubai is choosing a more traditional model of education over the global trend toward progressive education? Does this represent a short-term lull or a long-term trend? What variables could be causing this phenomenon?
In Dubai, British Schools Set the Standard
According to the most recent report from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the private school sector in Dubai has grown rapidly in the past year. With 10 new schools opening in 2024–2025, a staggering eight of which were British-curriculum institutions.
While the number of Ministry of Education curricula schools has decreased from 16 to 15 in the same timeframe, the number of IB schools in Dubai appears to have decreased from 17 in the 2023/24 KHDA report to 16 in the 2024/25 report. Except for the French curriculum, which saw a one-school rise in the previous year, all other curricula have maintained the same number of schools.
Opting Out Of A Trend
International reports that the UK curriculum is losing favor are refuted by the KHDA data from Dubai. Despite assertions by supporters of alternative curricula that British credentials like A-Levels and GCSEs have ‘had their day,’ the data indicate that both families and investors still place a high value on the British system.
In recent years, there has been criticism of the British curriculum, with some contending that it places more emphasis on standardized testing and memorization than on creativity and holistic development. Some point out that it emphasizes conventional academic courses, which they think would not adequately educate students for the demands of the contemporary workforce.
Why Dubai Is Attracting UK Teachers
If you are still wondering why British teachers are looking for teaching jobs in Dubai, here are a few reasons:
1. Lucrative, Tax-Free Compensation Packages
One of the biggest lures for teachers from the UK is the financial upside. Reports consistently highlight that Dubai offers some of the highest salaries for educators globally—ranging from £2,500 to £4,150 per month, often without taxes.
Many schools sweeten the deal further with paid housing, annual flights, and medical benefits.
2. Work-Life Enhancement & Family-Friendly Infrastructure
Dubai is celebrated for its modern infrastructure—safe neighborhoods, strong public amenities, and seamless services. Packages here make life easier. Features like a pre-furnished home, a safe neighborhood, and swift accommodation support are provided by the institutions for the teachers.
Combined with the absence of personal income tax, many teachers find their savings stretch further, and their lifestyle improves significantly.
3. Professional Growth & International School Networks
Dubai’s education sector is a global benchmark. Educators benefit from exposure to international curricula (British, IB, American, etc.), modern facilities, and global standards managed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
The city hosts internationally respected schools, which frequently value British teaching experience and credentials.
4. Safer, More Efficient Work Environment
Rigid inspection procedures and a lot of bureaucracy are common in British schools. In contrast, many educators describe the UAE as offering greater operational flexibility.
While some teachers praise the work-life balance and friendly hours, others warn of intense school environments with tight schedules and fast-paced operations.
5. Rich Expat Communities & Established Infrastructure
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with massive expat representation. Estimates suggest there are over 100,000 British expatriates in Dubai, making it the largest Western group in the city. Schools with British curricula are ubiquitous.
Furthermore, the KHDA's regulatory support guarantees strict control and high standards, which facilitates the transfer for instructors moving from the UK.
6. Lifestyle Appeal
Dubai’s climate, with sunshine almost year-round, is a major appeal—especially when contrasted with the often dreary UK weather. Relocating forces many teachers to reinvent their lives.
Moreover, despite Dubai's vibrant lifestyle and open economy, it maintains a reliable legal framework, competent public services, and low crime, making it a secure environment to raise families.
Bottom Line
For British teachers weighing the move, Dubai represents a compelling package—competitive, tax-free remuneration, improved quality of life, and professional growth in world-class schools. With access to KHDA-approved teaching courses, educators can upskill and align with UAE teaching standards, making the transition smoother and more credible. The rise in British educators accepting roles abroad marks not just a trend but a larger realignment in pursuit of well-being and career fulfillment.