Overview of Education System
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) manages education in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to guiding, adopting, and implementing various educational development strategies and initiatives. The ADEC vision is to be recognized as a world class education system that supports all learners in reaching their full potential to compete in the global market.
Three main types of education are found in Abu Dhabi: public schools, private schools, and higher education. ADEC operates 251 public schools with an enrollment of 132,708 students and regulates 192 private schools with an enrollment of 243,590 students. Public schools have a population that is 79 percent Emirati nationals and 21 percent expatriate, while private schools have a population that is approximately 75 percent expatriate and 25 percent Emirati nationals.2 Public and private schools offer kindergarten to Grade 12.
Public schools operate in a system with centrally developed policies, curricula, and common year end assessments. Performance standards in these schools are established by ADEC. Several private schools offer international curricula including the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement courses, the General Certificate of Secondary Education, and Asian programs.