Dubai, July 10, 2023 (The National) – The eagerly awaited opening of Dubai British School (DBS) Mira, originally slated for next year, has been rescheduled to August 2025, according to an announcement by school operator Taaleem. The decision to push back the opening date comes as a result of the lease agreement signing date for the Mira property and Taaleem’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-quality educational facilities.
Sam Truman, Chief Operating Officer of Taaleem, explained the rationale behind the delay, saying, “We believe our students and families will benefit from the additional time made available to ensure DBS Mira is a truly world-class facility, and we continue to progress with our plan to open DBS Jumeirah in 2024.”
DBS Mira is set to become a prominent educational institution catering to over 1,600 pupils aged three to 11, offering classes from Early Years Foundation Stage 1 to Year 7. Despite the revised opening timeline, enrolment has already commenced for places at this British curriculum school, reflecting the strong demand for quality education in Dubai’s thriving community.
Alan Williamson, Chief Executive of Taaleem, expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming addition to their premium schools’ portfolio, stating, “DBS Mira extends our premium schools’ portfolio in the UAE and offers new communities the opportunity to access values-based, world-class education at an affordable price point. Our decision to introduce DBS Mira, which will accommodate over 1,600 students at full utilization, further emphasizes our dedication to our growth strategy. In addition, we remain committed and on track to complete a further two greenfield projects.”
The news of the delayed opening will be well-received by parents in the area, where many schools have experienced long waiting lists for enrolment due to increasing pupil numbers. The National reported last month that Dubai’s pupil population has surged as fewer families are leaving the emirate, necessitating the construction of new schools to meet the growing demand.
Approximately five years ago, around 10% of pupils were leaving schools in Dubai, but this figure has significantly decreased to approximately 1.5% at present. As a result, the need for more educational institutions has become apparent, prompting Taaleem to invest in new projects, including the DBS Mira school.
In addition to DBS Mira, Taaleem is also set to open another new school, DBS Jumeira in Al Wasl, in September 2024, which will have a capacity of over 1,600 pupils. The overwhelming demand for enrolment across Taaleem’s premium schools network, particularly at the Dubai British School campuses in Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Park, showcases the appeal of their educational offerings and commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for students and their families.
As schools gear up for the new academic year, it was announced earlier this year that some private schools in the emirate would be allowed to increase their annual fees for the upcoming school year. This move, which could see fees rise by up to 6% for schools meeting specific criteria in their inspection ratings, is attributed to running costs and the economic situation in the emirate. Taaleem confirmed that its fees would increase by an average of 2.8% across its premium schools portfolio, following three years of frozen tuition fees.
