UAE schools to return in person but not all pupils

• Online learning since war outbreak
• Schools can implement hybrid model
• Next week ‘litmus test’ for parent intentions

UAE schools returning to in-house learning next week may find classrooms light on pupils as some parents choose to continue their childrens’ education from outside the country.

Online learning has been enforced since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, with some concerned parents choosing to leave the country during that period.

The Ministry of Education said this week that pupils would resume classes from Monday and many operators are adopting a phased return to on-campus learning.

But attendance is expected to fall short of normal levels.

Dino Varkey, CEO of Gems Education, the country’s largest private school operator with 44 schools, catering for 150,000 pupils, said in an interview with Monocle that it is expecting about 800 pupils to be absent from the classroom next week.

According to a statement from the country’s education authority, schools can implement a “hybrid rotational model”, allowing both online and in-person education, although this must not involve the same teacher doing both.

Further reading:

• Dubai is open for business – but not yet business as usual
• UAE teachers resilient in face of Iran conflict
• British businesses in Dubai defiant despite Iran war departures

“This weekend and next week will be a litmus test for knowing about short- and medium-term intentions (of parents),” said Shaun Robison, chief executive of Dubai-based BBD Education.

The UAE private K-12 education market was valued at more than $10 billion in 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence, and is estimated to grow from $11.5 billion in 2026 to reach $19 billion by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate of 10.7 percent.

Alan Williamson, CEO of schools group Taaleem, which operates 12 schools in the UAE and 22 in partnership with the government, said 200 pupils were expected to be absent from in-class learning for the final term, although he said this was offset by 100 new joiners.

“Looking ahead, enrolments for the next academic year remain very positive across our portfolio, with demand tracking strongly,” he said.

Despite the relative calm in hostilities since a ceasefire was announced earlier this month, contingency planning and safety measures for schools have been outlined with guidance from regulators including the UAE Ministry of Education and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
“Schools will have to introduce safety measures such as emergency planning, shelter in place procedures, evacuation procedures … and this will obviously require training and careful management,” said Robison.