Your Gateway to the GCC’s Dynamic Education Market 

The GCC international schools’ sector is booming, with over 1.8 million students across 1,783 schools and nearly 140,000 staff. Generating USD 14.2 billion in tuition fees annually, the region represents 23.8% of global international school enrolment, creating unparalleled opportunities for educators, technology providers, and investors alike. GESS Dubai 2025, taking place from November 11-13 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is the must-attend event for anyone looking to engage with this thriving market. 

Attending GESS Dubai provides a firsthand view of the trends shaping education across the GCC. Schools are increasingly embracing AI-powered learning tools, integrating wellbeing programmes, and developing future-ready, sustainable campuses. Over 60% of GCC international schools are exploring AI-enabled solutions, while more than half are embedding staff and student wellbeing initiatives. The exhibition and conference offer an interactive platform to explore these innovations through live demos, workshops, and expert-led sessions, giving attendees insights that are both practical and forward-thinking. 

The event also offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who have experienced success in the region. James Hayden, Sales Director at TES, shares, “I think it’s an important event because everybody’s here. Education leaders are busy people, they have incredibly busy schedules, and they’ve made time to be here for all 3 days of the event”.

David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas adds, “GESS is always about pushing the boundaries of innovation and education you can see this with all the suppliers who have come across all around the world. They keep on pushing one of the most innovative education markets which is the Middle Eastern International School Market.”  Their experiences highlight the value of the event as a hub for connection, collaboration, and growth. 

The GCC’s education market is not only substantial but diverse. The UAE leads with 654 schools and over 600,000 students, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. This diversity opens significant opportunities for exporting educational products, curriculum solutions, and EdTech innovations, particularly for companies aligned with international teaching standards. Nearly half of all GCC international schools (819 schools, 45.9%) follow the British curriculum, making it the dominant system across the region. The US curriculum is followed by 29.6% of schools, while Cambridge is present in 20.8%. By comparison, IB programmes are present but smaller in scale, with 6.8% of schools offering the IB Diploma Programme and 5.4% offering the Primary Years Programme. These figures reinforce the fact that UK-aligned products and services resonate most strongly in the region, while opportunities still exist for providers connected to American, IB, and blended systems. 

Cultural relevance remains a key consideration in the region. Schools balance innovation with tradition, ensuring programmes are student-cantered and locally appropriate. Extracurricular initiatives, from esports to arts and sports partnerships with global institutions, demonstrate how schools are blending global best practices with regional priorities. 

With the GCC international schools market continuing its rapid growth, GESS Dubai 2025 arrives at a critical moment. The event brings together policymakers, educators, investors, and innovators to explore AI, wellbeing, sustainability, and future-ready learning environments. From the Leaders in Education Conference to the EdTech in Action Room and the Sustainability & Wellbeing Hub, attendees will gain actionable insights and make meaningful connections. 

Be part of shaping the future of education in the GCC. Find out more about BESA’s support for exhibitors here.