How to Set up School in Dubai?

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Educational institutes have got great importance in one’s life. It is a place where people of different age groups get an education in order to develop their interpersonal skills. This includes preschools, nurseries, primary-elementary schools, secondary-high schools, and universities. Having said that there lies a great demand for such institutes in the community. Dubai aims to develop infrastructure for world-class education sector which offers huge potential for business growth. Introduction of favorable government policies is also expected to give a major boost to the sector by adopting the latest technologies and skills to create a better and smarter future for next generations.

The rise in the number of private schools is driven by the demand for quality educational institutes in the country. In 2018, 13 private schools opened in Dubai.

How to Set up school in Dubai

Are you planning to setup a school in Dubai? The whole process of setting up a school requires extensive research and planning. We are hereby outlining some of the important guidelines which are required to be followed while executing the licensing process of school in Dubai. This includes specific requirements relating to feasibility study, academic plan, enrolment and acceptance policy and proposed organization staff etc. Activities for setting up school in Dubai are covered under professional license in Dubai mainland and Dubai DED will be the authority to issue the school license in Dubai with external approval from UAE Ministry of Education.

Business Activities

Below are the activities for setting up a school which falls under the professional license and as per law 100% shares will own by UAE National and can be commercial(LLC) license as well. The expat investor can be the manager after the issuance of license from DED.

Activity Name: Primary School
Activity Code:8510002
Activity Group:Education
License Type:Professional
Activity Description:Includes the type of institution attended by children from around the age of five until the age of twelve, and which children receive the first stage of compulsory education, the instruction is designed to give students basic education in reading, writing and mathematics.

Activity Name: Intermediate School
Activity Code:8510003
Activity Group: Education
License Type:Professional
Activity Description:Includes the type of institution attended by children from around the age of eleven until the age of fifteen, this stage lies between the primary and secondary education, the instruction is designed to give students basic education in reading, writing and mathematics along with natural and social sciences.

Activity Name:Secondary School
Activity Code:8521001
Activity Group:Education
License Type:Professional
Activity Description:Includes of the type of education that lays the foundation for lifelong learning and human development, it provide programs that are usually on a more subject-oriented pattern using more specialized teachers, they are designated to qualify students for entrance to higher education.

Process of the license issuance for school setup in Dubai

• The UAE National will have to attend an interview with the Ministry of Education; the business plan needs to be presented at the time of interview as this is one of the requirements of setting up a school in Dubai
• Upon successful completion of the Interview the trade name & the initial approval needs to be taken from Dubai DED
• The layout of the school premises in terms of location needs to be submitted- the review and inspection will be done by the Ministry of Education

Documents required for shareholders at the time filing the application

• Copy of passport
• Copy of family book
• Copy of residence visa (non-nationals)
• Copy of national ID
• Clear criminal record certificate
• Fill the Personal Data Application Form
• Personal Photo

Requirements to prepare School Academic plan and also need to discussed with the ministry

• Curriculum plan
• School public policies
• Targeted students
• Vision and Mission of the school
• Emiratisation plan
• Assessment and exam policy
• School employment policy
• Student’ code of behavior
• The proposed organizational structure of the school
• Nutrition programmes and health care
• School’s employment policy
• Enrolment and acceptance policy
• Feasibility study
• 3 Copies of the architectural drawings + CD issued by a certified engineering office + facility form + plot map
• Written undertaking from the licensee to not practice any activity before obtaining the final license

In case the applicant is a company or a legal person, the following documents should be provided in addition to the above:

• A copy of the commercial license issued by the higher authorities in the country
• Data of company’s owner and representative
• Copy of articles of association including
  1. Share allocation details
  2. Educational activities and training should be one of the company’s objectives
  3. A letter from the Chairman of the Board of Directors to nominate a representative in the Ministry and attach a copy of his passport and family book and a clear criminal record certificate

Requirement after pre approval

After obtaining preliminary approval for the licensing of the new private school, owner must ensure the following documents and procedures are met:

• Principal nomination application and attaching qualifications and experience
• A copy of textbooks to be taught (outside the ministry’s curriculum)
• Valid ownership title or lease of school building attested by competent authorities
• List of names of school board of directors (if any) with specifying tasks of each member and attach copies of their passports
• Partnership contract attested by the Notary Public so that the citizens’ share is not less than 51%

External approvals

In addition to above conditions, the following external approval must be obtained:

• Approve the school fees of the Private School by Ministry of Education
• Report from the educational zone confirming the validity of the readiness of the school building to welcome students and staff
• Certificate of completion from the Civil Defense and Municipality indicating the validity of school building and availability of required conditions
• Final technical approval for the school building from the facilities administration in the ministry

Required documents for external approvals

• School academic plan
• Feasibility study
• School building and its facilities engineering drawings and its annexes
• The supporting documents of the license holder(s)
• Certificate of completion from the Civil Defense and Municipality indicating the validity of school building and availability of required conditions

School premises requirement

Size of school premises depends on the selection of activity and structure such as primary, secondary or intermediate school.

How much does it cost to start a private school

Set up cost of school highly depends upon the business plan covering the structure, curriculum, strength of students, school amenities and size of the school.

This blog based on research by Ms. Shweta, CP Head at Flyingcolour Business Setup. Flyingcolor has over 15+ years of experience and in-depth knowledge and experience to undertake this initiative on your behalf and to complete it effectively. We have experienced staffs with us who have a proven track record of providing solutions to Mainland, Free zone and Offshore business setup in all over UAE.