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Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Best schools to work at in UAE: Taaleem earns global recognition for teacher wellbeing
Taaleem in the UAE has been named among the world's best school groups for teachers to work at. It recently earned Best School to Work Certified Group status for its outstanding leadership, working environment, school culture, and commitment to the wellbeing of its staff. This recognition was awarded by T4 Education under its Best School to Work programme, which evaluates schools through an anonymous staff survey focused on leadership, collaboration, environment, and professional wellness. To qualify as a certified group, over half of a school group's institutions must individually meet the high threshold for certification. The school group highlighted that it employs a range of initiatives to support teacher wellbeing, with a suite of measures that include access to online and in-person training via the Taaleem Teaching School, mental health support, wellness programmes, employee discounts, and regular medical check-ups. Alan Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Taaleem, said, 'The quality of a school never exceeds the quality — and wellbeing — of its teachers. At Taaleem, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture where educators feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive. By investing in their happiness, career progression, and continuous professional development, we empower them to deliver truly exceptional learning experiences.' Daily check-ins, connecting with staff Under Taaleem's ambit, the institutions recognised as the Best Schools to Work, include American Academy for Girls, Dubai British School Emirates Hills, Dubai British School Jumeira, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, and Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej. Rebecca Gray, Chief Education Officer at Taaleem, told Khaleej Times how wellbeing has been integrated into everyday leadership practices. She said, 'Wellbeing is not a standalone initiative at Taaleem — it's part of our daily rhythm. Personally, I make time for small but intentional practices that help me stay centred and present, whether that's through reflective journalling, daily check-ins with colleagues, or simply prioritising time to connect meaningfully with our staff and students.' Gray emphasised that the leadership teams strive to promote balance, highlighting that caring for one's own wellbeing is not merely beneficial but crucial to sustaining the energy and passion that is essential in the field of education. 'We also believe that it's okay to be vulnerable and to create circles of trust at all levels — the ability to be open and transparent in relation to coaching and mentoring. Our CEO is often heard saying 'we don't have to be sick to be better',' she added. Developed in collaboration with over 200,000 educators, the Best School to Work programme is considered the gold standard of school culture assessment. T4 Education's founder, Vikas Pota, said, 'Congratulations to Taaleem on the rare distinction of becoming a Best School to Work Certified Group. Your leadership, culture and vision have created an environment in which teachers can flourish. And where educators thrive, so does education.'
Web Release
6 days ago
- Business
- Web Release
GCC student enrolment to rise by 1.5 million over the next five years, projects Alpen Capital
Alpen Capital's latest education industry report for the GCC forecasts the number of students in the region to grow by 1.5 million to reach 15.5 million by 2029. Within this, the K-12 segment is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1% between 2024 – 2029 to reach 12.9 million. Alpen Capital, a UAE-based investment banking advisory firm, launched its latest GCC Education Industry report which features forecasts on the sector, recent analysis on trends, growth drivers and challenges facing the segment. It also profiles select education companies in the region. The report was launched over a webinar followed by a panel discussion featuring Alan Williamson, Chief Executive Officer, Taaleem; Dinesh Kothari, Chairman, Delhi Private School Dubai; Ibrahim Al Turki, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Development Holding for Education and Training and Amjad Al Omari, Senior Director, Alpen Capital. Hameed Noor Mohamed, Managing Director, Alpen Capital moderated the discussion 'The GCC education sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by government-led reforms, increased private sector participation, and accelerating digital innovation. Demand for private education continues to rise, supported by sustained economic growth, a growing population, rising affluence, and a strong preference for globally recognised curricula. However, institutions are facing pressure from rising operational costs and a shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in an increasingly competitive and quality-conscious market. GCC governments' continued focus on modernising education—through the integration of digital skills and innovative teaching methodologies—is expected to enhance education quality and support long-term outcomes.', says Sameena Ahmad, Managing Director, Alpen Capital. 'The education sector of the GCC offers a strong growth outlook, with investor interest remaining high, driven by robust fundamentals and sustained long-term demand. This is creating substantial opportunities for both regional and international education providers to establish or scale their presence in a growing market. Looking ahead, M&A activity in the GCC education sector is expected to stay buoyant, as operators focus on improving educational quality, expanding capacity, and streamlining operations. The growing demand for affordable schooling and the integration of Edtech solutions are anticipated to further drive deal activity within the sector.', says Hameed Noor Mohamed, Managing Director, Alpen Capital (ME) Limited. According to Alpen Capital, the total number of students in the GCC education sector is projected to increase from 14.0 million to 15.5 million at a CAGR of 2.1% between 2024 – 2029. This growth is expected to be driven by continued economic expansion in the region and a steady increase in population, which in turn is contributing to a rising school-age demographic. Favourable macroeconomic conditions, including high per capita income and sustained government budget allocations, are providing additional momentum to the sector. Among the various segments, the pre-primary segment is expected to witness the fastest growth, with student enrolments projected to increase at a CAGR of 2.7% between 2024–2029. The tertiary segment is projected to expand steadily, with a CAGR of 2.1%, supported by rising demand and ongoing government efforts to enhance the quality of higher education. Meanwhile, the primary and secondary segments are also anticipated to grow at a steady pace, with enrolments projected to increase at CAGRs of 2.0% and 2.1%, respectively, over the forecast period. The number of K-12 students in private schools are expected to grow at a slightly faster pace of 2.3% CAGR, as compared to public schools which is forecasted to increase at a CAGR of 2.0% between 2024 – 2029. With the exception of UAE, public schools are expected to retain their dominant position in the GCC's K–12 educational landscape, accounting for approximately 70.8% of total enrolments by the end of the forecast period. Among the GCC nations, Saudi Arabia is expected to remain the largest education market, accounting for 64.6% of the region's total student enrolments by 2029. In terms of annualized growth, Oman is projected to lead with a CAGR of 3.3% during the 2024–2029 period, followed by Bahrain at 2.4%, and the UAE and Qatar, both at 2.2%. The demand for schools across the GCC region is expected to rise at a CAGR of 1.4% during the forecast period, requiring an addition of more than 2,800 schools by 2029. Within this, demand for private schools is expected to expand at a CAGR of 2.4%, outpacing the public school segment, which is anticipated to grow at a slower CAGR of 1.1% during the same period. As per the report, sustained economic momentum is expected to not only support public investment in education but also make the education sector increasingly attractive to private and international investors. Furthermore, the GCC population is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% between 2024 – 2029 to reach 67.1 million by 2029. This population expansion is mirrored in the growth of the school-age population, which is expected to drive steady rise in enrolment. Rising affluence, preference for international curricula, supportive government initiatives and increasing private sector participation is poised to attract international institutions, creating a strong momentum for sector expansion and investment. In terms of challenges, the private operators are facing increasing cost pressures due to rising expenditures on retention of qualified teachers, real estate, and digital infrastructure. These pressures are further compounded in a highly competitive market with a growing number of private international schools. The sector also continues to face a shortage of skilled teachers and educational staff, which is intensifying, given the rapid growth of premium international schools that require high-calibre teaching talent. Highlighting the trends in the education sector, the report states that educational institutes in the GCC are rapidly integrating emerging technologies to drive innovation and enhance student engagement. With continued investments in EdTech, the region is preparing students with future-ready skills and delivering an inclusive learning experience. The GCC education industry is also witnessing a clear shift toward strengthening kindergartens, nurseries, and early learning programs through policy reforms and greater private sector engagement. Meanwhile, the foreign universities are establishing a stronger presence across the region to meet the rising demand for diverse higher education options. The GCC countries are making substantial investments in education to develop an ecosystem aligned with global standards. This commitment has driven significant transformation in recent years, particularly through the integration of technology. Strengthening digital infrastructure will be key to advancing the sector further—enabling innovation, enhancing learning outcomes, and unlocking new avenues for growth and investment across the region.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Taaleem named among the world's best school groups for teacher wellbeing, leadership and working environment
Taaleem in the UAE has today been named among the world's best school groups for teachers to work at. It earned Best School to Work Certified Group status for its outstanding leadership, working environment, school culture, and commitment to the wellbeing of its staff. The Best School to Work programme is the gold standard of school culture. Developed by T4 Education in collaboration with its community of over 200,000 teachers and school leaders, it is an independent, evidence-based mechanism to certify schools for their working culture, helping them to create environments in which education flourishes because educators thrive. School groups can only attain Best School to Work Certified Group status if over half of their schools are certified as a Best School to Work after scoring highly in a detailed anonymous staff survey. Taaleem schools are committed to providing a solid academic grounding by delivering stimulating and creative educational programmes within caring, secure and nurturing environments. Taaleem employs a range of initiatives to support staff including the Taaleem Teaching School, an online and in-person professional learning platform, which empowers and inspires educators to strive for excellence for themselves and for their students. Staff across all Taaleem schools can engage with high-quality resources, coaching and training opportunities across an ever-growing range of areas within education and leadership. The group also offers online counselling, employee discounts, regular interactive wellness sessions both online and in schools, and medical check-up days. Alan Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Taaleem, said: 'The quality of a school never exceeds the quality — and wellbeing — of its teachers. At Taaleem, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture where educators feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive. By investing in their happiness, career progression, and continuous professional development, we empower them to deliver truly exceptional learning experiences. 'Achieving Best School to Work Certified Group status is a powerful testament to this commitment. It reflects our dedication to placing educators at the heart of our mission — creating an environment where they can flourish and, in turn, realise the potential of every individual student. This recognition will help us continue to attract and retain the very best teaching talent, ensuring we deliver the very highest standards of education.' Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and Best School to Work, said: 'Congratulations to Taaleem on the rare distinction of becoming a Best School to Work Certified Group. Your leadership, culture and vision have created an environment in which teachers can flourish. And where educators thrive, so does education. Schools around the world will be inspired by the example of this outstanding UAE group and the unparalleled workplace it has cultivated.' How Best School to Work certifies schools: Once a school signs up to the Best School to Work programme, T4 Education sends all of its teachers a detailed, anonymous survey to independently assess the school on four pillars: Leadership: T4 Education examines the many factors that make great school leadership, from having a vision to communicating it well and leading by example to build a culture of trust and respect. Collaboration: T4 Education takes a forensic look not just at schools' teaching community and their collaborative efforts to reflect, grow and share best practices together, but the wider ecosystem around the school including students, parents and the community at large. School Environment: T4 Education delves deep into schools' working environments, looking at inclusivity and positivity, as well as professional development opportunities, support for staff, and good relationships between colleagues. Professional Wellness: T4 Education grades schools on all the things a teacher would want to see in their dream job. The answers given by all teachers to the different questions are weighted using an algorithm to produce a final score. Only the highest-scoring schools achieve certification under the Best School to Work programme and only groups that see over half of their total number of schools certified can become a Best School to Work Certified Group. For further information, please contact: Salman Shaheen - salman@ About Taaleem: Taaleem (DFM: TAALEEM) is one of the largest K-12 premium education providers in the UAE with a portfolio consisting of 34 schools, comprising 12 owned and operated premium private schools, and 22 Government partnership schools operated on behalf of Government entities. The Group has a student base of +40,092 students and a highly experienced teaching staff from across the world. About T4 Education: T4 Education believes every child, everywhere, deserves a good education. It is building the world's largest community of teachers and schools to achieve this. Its digital media platform provides opportunities for educators to network, collaborate, share good practices, and support each other's efforts to improve learning and school culture. It works to amplify teachers' voices because the world we want to see will only be built by listening to those at the heart of education.
The National
22-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Harrow's UAE schools to charge up to Dh100,000 for primary years
The two Harrow-branded schools set to open in the UAE next year will have a fee structure of Dh80,000 to Dh100,000 ($21,780 to $27,230) for pupils in Early Years to Year 6, The National can reveal. The schools, one in Dubai and the other in Abu Dhabi – will each have a development cost of Dh300 million – are designed to blend heritage with future-facing education. Both schools will initially cater to pupils up to Year 6 before gradually expanding to serve older age groups in the coming years. "You're looking at state-of-the-art facilities, you're looking at an incredible performing arts auditorium and dance studios," Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem, the education provider behind the project, told The National in an exclusive interview. "You're looking at robotics facilities and also a beautiful learning environment." The openings come at a time of unprecedented population growth and record private school demand. Dubai's private school sector alone recorded a 6 per cent enrolment increase this academic year, reaching a total of 387,441 pupils across 227 schools, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority found. With such rapid growth, Mr Williamson highlighted pressure from investors to open more schools and said Taaleem "committed to four schools and one acquisition in five years" but "delivered that in three". The group opened Dubai British School Jumeirah last year and Dubai British School Mira is set to open in August, while Taaleem also acquired Lycee Libanais Francophone Prive Meydan in November. Harrow is one of Britain's most famous educational intuitions, with alma mater include several UK prime ministers including Winston Churchill, poets, scientists and statesmen. "If you walk around the streets of the UK and asked what are the two biggest schools, undoubtedly the majority of the population would mention Eton and Harrow," Mr Williamson said. Each Harrow campus – 50,000 square metres in Dubai and 70,000 on Saadiyat Island – will eventually accommodate about 1,800 pupils, starting with early years and primary enrolment. The schools are classed as "super premium". While Mr Williamson did not disclose when admission will open, he said fees will be from Dh80,000 to Dh100,000. The Harrow developments represent Taaleem's largest capital investment to date, he added. In the UAE's hypercompetitive education sector, prestige alone is no longer enough. More than 200 private schools operate in Dubai, with 23 rated "outstanding". Parents, especially newly arrived expats, are faced with an array of choices. But for Mr Williamson, the Harrow schools will offer a bespoke level of care for each pupil. "We find their gifts, we find their talents, we find their interests," he said. "Of course, we challenge them to try this and try that other subject, but we really do develop them as individuals." He highlighted Harrow's "super curriculum" as a key factor. Alongside standard English national curriculum offerings, pupils will be immersed in a house system and extended learning through sports, drama, design, and education in artificial intelligence (AI). "One of the unique things about Harrow is their house system," said Mr Williamson. "In Harrow, you divide the school so it becomes very small, so that the students have this loyalty to their house and their house master and house mistress, and we're going to create that as part of Harrow Dubai and Harrow Abu Dhabi." Mr Williamson emphasised the aim is not to drive children to pass exams. "We are teaching children today for jobs that don't exist but will exist tomorrow," he said. "Our life is transformational at the moment, it's fast paced and, almost before a technology is learnt, a new technology has come in. Schools need to be quite careful about planning their curriculum." Taaleem's plan is one of measured ambition. "Schools are sacred intuitions," Mr Williamson said. "We have always believed we don't want to open 50 new schools in one year and get it wrong. It's too important for that, and so we have set out this strategy to grow year by year and make sure we're getting it right for every child in the school." Still, the numbers speak volumes. Dubai British School Jumeirah opened last year with 500 pupils – well above the forecast. DBS Mira is expected to start out with 600 pupils in attendance when doors open in August – double the initial target. As for Harrow's imminent arrival, early indicators suggest the demand is already there. "We're inundated," Mr Williamson said. "Parents are calling us, WhatsApping our principals. Harrow is a global name." While Taaleem has the rights to the Harrow brand in the Gulf, Mr Williamson said his focus is solely on the UAE and there is no plan yet to open other schools in the region.
