A significant transformation is underway in the United Arab Emirates’ education sector as families increasingly prioritize long-term career preparedness over traditional academic metrics when selecting schools. According to Charles Bonas, founder of UK-based education consultancy Bonas MacFarlane, Emirati parents are now looking beyond immediate educational concerns to consider where their children will stand in the job market a decade from now.
In exclusive remarks to Khaleej Times, Bonas revealed that expatriate families in Dubai and across the UAE are demonstrating heightened awareness of employability challenges, even for top graduates. This shift represents a fundamental change from just a few years ago when educational decisions primarily focused on transitional phases at ages 11 or 13.
The education expert cautioned against overemphasizing school branding, a common tendency in Dubai’s rapidly expanding education market. Bonas emphasized that superior facilities and prominent brands cannot compensate for inadequate teaching quality, noting that many established UAE schools consistently achieve better university placement results than newer, high-profile institutions.
Community trust and personal recommendations continue to play crucial roles in school selection, with proximity to home remaining a significant factor. However, parents are now adopting a more comprehensive approach that considers the uncertain future job landscape, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence and the potential disappearance of traditional mid-level professional roles.
Bonas highlighted the unique advantages of international education in the UAE, describing how exposure to diverse cultural environments helps shape students into ‘citizens of the world’ equipped with adaptability, confidence, and global perspective. He characterized education as a shared responsibility between institutions and families, with many parents supplementing formal schooling with tutoring and enrichment activities.
The consultant concluded by encouraging families to consider international educational experiences, noting that even brief exposure to global learning environments can provide substantial long-term benefits for personal and professional development.