Arguably the most personal choice we ever ever make as parents is choosing the proper school for your child. It’s not education—it’s finding a family where your child will educate, grow, and be duly cared for in good faith. For Indian expatriates residing in the UAE, and Dubai more specifically, the quest will first and foremost start with self-reflection of this very question: Which Indian school will my child be best placed in?
Dubai boasts a very long list of schools, and Indian schools in Dubai are very close to the heart of every expat parent. They are not only giving a good study education, but the finest homely culture as well. So, how do you choose the best for your child?
1. Know Your Child’s Needs
All children are different. Some perform well in big, lively rooms full of activity, and some perform well in small, cozy rooms where more time is spent getting to know them. Watch first, then take into consideration your child’s personality, how they learn, what they are strong at, and even weak at. The school that can best address your child’s needs is the one to go to.
2. Emphasize the Curriculum
Most of the Indian schools in Dubai follow the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) or ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) syllabus. Both boards are very well established and popular among Indian parents and have a well-developed and well-balanced course of study.
If you are indeed returning to India, maintaining a set syllabus will acclimate your child to the new surroundings. If you are relocating to Dubai, however, look for a school with scholastic achievements and an international outlook as well as life skills education.
3. School Environment and Values
The sort of words taught in a school such as courtesy, respect, discipline, and imagination are just as important as grades. So much can be gleaned by going to a school and looking at how the children and the teachers greet one another. Are the children happy and lively? Are the teachers warm and smiling? Is the school clean, secure, and well-organized?
It’s these small things that can make all the difference when it comes to whether your child is going to enjoy coming to school each day.
4. Support Facilities
An ideal infrastructure ensures an equitable balance in the learning process. During your visit, look out for science and computer labs, libraries, play grounds, sports complexes, and creative spaces. Above everything else, look out for student support services—counseling, learning support, and personal development initiatives.
Most Indian schools in Dubai have an integrated approach that disseminates good scholastics through co-curricular activities such as music, dance, arts, and elocution.
5. Affordability and Accessibility
While we would want the best for our kids, being frugal is a pragmatic consideration that cannot be wished away. Silver lining being that there are plenty of Indian schools with varying fees so you can choose one within your home budget. And then think about school location and how easy it would be for you to commute to school every day.
Final Thoughts
Selecting a school is less about determining “the best” time—it’s about determining the best for your child. Don’t rush, do your research, visit open houses, and talk to other parents. Listen to your own heart, and listen to your child’s heart too.
There are sufficient good Indian schools in Dubai, and each one has something unique of its own culture, individuality, and learning atmosphere. The best school will not only teach your child how to do well at school but also how to be a confident, nice, able human being.
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Learning is something to do, and with the right school, it’s a great thing—one your child will love for the rest of his or her life.
