Latest news with #Taaleem
Khaleej Times
a day 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
4 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
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
GCC student enrolment to rise by 1.5 million over the next five years, projects Alpen Capital
Dubai – 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. About Alpen Capital: Alpen Capital (ME) Limited is incorporated as a limited liability company in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Alpen Capital offers a full range of investment banking advisory services in the areas of M & A, Debt, Equity and Capital Markets to some of the largest business conglomerates and financial institutions in the GCC and South Asia. It has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Muscat and New Delhi. About Alpen Asset Advisors: Alpen Asset Advisors Limited, is an independent wealth management firm offering private banking and asset management services. It offers a comprehensive offering covering all asset classes, investment themes & styles and sectors. With our open architecture platform we identify investment opportunities and design an investment program to achieve the wealth creation within the given risk appetite. For media queries, please contact: Rasheed Palliyalil Watermelon Communications Dubai, UAE rasheed@
The National
05-05-2025
- Business
- The National
UAE private schools expect AI to become the new normal
The UAE's decision to make artificial intelligence part of public school education has drawn widespread praise and cautious optimism from private school educators. Seen as a decisive step into the future, the move is expected to spark AI momentum across the wider education landscape, where private schools are already beginning to embed AI into classrooms and teacher training. "This is exactly on brand for the UAE," said Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, chief executive of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation. "We're not handing kids tablets and walking away. We're helping them ask better questions – who built this tool, what values are embedded in it and how do we shape it?" Announced on Sunday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the policy will see AI integrated from as early as age four in all public schools. Far from being treated as a stand-alone subject, experts say a move to weave AI into maths, science, languages and moral education highlights the pervasive role of the technology in society. At Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, AI has already found a place in the curriculum. Pupils aged 11 to 16 interact with AI-powered chatbots, translation tools and creative applications such as AI-generated media projects. "It's not a question of if, but when," Abdulaziz Ahmed, the school's digital design teacher, told The National. Meanwhile at Gems, AI concepts are already being explored by pupils as young as six, focusing on digital literacy and foundational skills. "We are launching a programme where selected teachers focus on impactful AI and EdTech use cases, promoting best practices and innovation in education." Baz Nijjar, vice president of education technology and digital innovation at Gems Education, told The National. "In collaboration with Microsoft, we are developing tailored AI agents to transform teaching, learning and leadership within schools," said Mr Nijjar. Taaleem, another private education provider, has also launched a group-wide AI task force. "We welcome this progression," said Rebecca Gray, Taaleem's chief education officer. "These steps will ensure that educators in private schools are equipped to deliver high-quality, AI-informed teaching and learning, and align with the national ambition of preparing future-ready graduates who are empowered to lead in a technology-driven world," Ms Gray said. 'One of the most transformative elements is how AI improves accessibility,' she added. 'Whether through real-time captioning, text-to-speech, translation tools, or customisable interfaces, AI is helping us remove language and communication barriers, making learning more inclusive." For Dr Ben Jaafar, the shift is about more than teaching children how to code. It is about equipping them with the tools to understand and shape the systems they already interact with — whether in health care, media, or future job markets. 'Younger students may be learning maths and sequences,' she said. 'But underneath that, they're developing the reasoning that powers AI. In higher grades, they can analyse bias, build models and question outcomes.' Teaching AI, she said, is not about predicting the future, it is about preparing pupils to adapt. 'Content is no longer the point,' said Dr Ben Jaafar. 'Values and critical thinking are. We need students to navigate a world of algorithms with ethical instincts.' Nancy Gleason, executive director of the Hilary Ballon Centre for Teaching and Learning at NYU Abu Dhabi, said the challenge of working against rather than with AI is that school districts pass restrictive policies limiting AI adoption. She said this puts learners at a disadvantage "because old ways of learning are insufficient to thrive in this new era". 'We need to integrate this because the alternative is tackling notions of cheating rather than notions of learning," she said. Her centre is leading efforts to transform teaching practices, classroom environments and assessments at the university level, but she insists change must start in early education. 'When done right, this will increase teacher capacity and enable educators to personalise learning for more students." This, Ms Gleason says, will require serious reskilling and upskilling of educators, "but it is the work that needs to be done". "Many other countries have made this decision to integrate AI in elementary and primary education," she said. "Nations who want to stay competitive with human capacity and a thriving economy have no choice but to meaningfully and thoughtfully integrate this new and disruptive tool."
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.
