Dubai has a well-developed education system with over 200 private schools covering more than 15 curricula — including South African CAPS. As a parent, your biggest decisions are: which curriculum, how much you can afford in fees, and which area to live in relative to the school.
SA (CAPS) Curriculum Schools in Dubai
- Location: Al Quoz, Dubai
- Grades: Grade 1–12
- Phone: +971-4-340-0608
- Languages: English (Afrikaans available for some subjects)
- Fees: Approx. AED 25,000–40,000/year (verify directly)
Alternative Curricula SA Families Choose
Many SA families settle on British curriculum (GCSE/A-Level) schools which are widely accepted for SA university applications if the right subjects are taken. IB (International Baccalaureate) is also popular for older students.
- British curriculum (GCSE/A-Level) — Most common choice for SA expat families. KHDA-rated schools include Jumeirah English Speaking School, Raffles International, Dubai College and many more.
- American curriculum — Credits are easily transferable; SA universities accept it with equivalent subjects.
- IB (International Baccalaureate) — Premium option, globally recognised. Dubai has many IB World Schools.
School Fees in Dubai — What to Expect
Dubai has strict fee regulations through KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) and fees must be approved annually. All schools publish their approved fee schedule.
- Foundation/FS1–2 (nursery): AED 18,000–45,000/year
- Primary (Grades 1–6): AED 22,000–65,000/year
- Secondary (Grades 7–12): AED 30,000–80,000/year
- Transport (school bus): AED 6,000–12,000/year additional
Dependent (Family) Visa
To bring your spouse and children to the UAE, you need to sponsor their residence visa. This is called a Dependent Visa.
Requirements to sponsor dependents:
- Your own valid UAE residence visa
- Minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 (to sponsor a spouse); some banks require AED 10,000+
- Suitable accommodation (tenancy agreement / Ejari)
- Attested and apostilled marriage certificate (for spouse)
- Unabridged birth certificates for children
- Medical fitness tests for all applicants (age-dependent)
Healthcare for Children
- Paediatrics: Dubai has world-class paediatric care. Most large hospitals (Mediclinic, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, American Hospital) have dedicated paediatric departments.
- Health insurance: Children must be covered under health insurance. Add them to your employer plan or take a separate family plan.
- Vaccinations: Follow the UAE immunisation schedule (different from SA's). School enrolment requires proof of specific vaccines — check the KHDA requirements for your school.
- Pharmacies: Aster, Life and Boots pharmacies are everywhere. Many SA medications (generics) are available; some brand names differ.
Nurseries and Childcare
For children under school age, Dubai has hundreds of nurseries licensed by KHDA. Popular SA expat choices:
- Kids Kingdom Nursery (multiple locations)
- Jumeirah International Nurseries
- Raffles Nursery
- Yellow Brick Road Nursery
Nursery hours in Dubai typically run 07:30–13:00 or 07:30–17:00. Fees: AED 1,500–4,000/month. Ask the SA community WhatsApp groups for recommendations near your area.