Aldar Properties on Thursday announced plans to invest AED1 billion ($272 million) into Aldar Education, its subsidiary.
With 80 percent of the investment already committed and planned for deployment over the next three years, Aldar said it will diversify its education portfolio and expand its offering to widen the choice of quality education for students in Abu Dhabi.
Aldar Education currently owns nine schools under Aldar Academies and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and manages a further 11 schools.
Through this investment, Aldar aims to increase the existing student capacity in Aldar Education’s owned and managed schools to over 40,000 seats by the academic year of 2024/25.
Aldar Education said in a statement that it is looking to achieve this through a mix of greenfield and school acquisition opportunities in the premium and mid-market segments.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, group CEO at Aldar Properties, said: “Aldar Education is one of our most critical touch points with the community and we want to ensure that more families can benefit from the quality, innovative education we offer in our schools.
“This latest investment will help us make notable progress in this direction and it also makes financial sense for a business that is of huge strategic importance to the group.”
Sahar Cooper, CEO at Aldar Education, added: “We are excited about the prospect of this growth plan and the opportunities it will bring to Aldar Education. The education sector is going through constant change and development, and we are keen to remain at the forefront of those developments to provide our students with the best tools available to help them unlock their full potential.
“This includes the digital transformation of our schools, further investment in EdTech, and the provision of more flexible and diverse education models that appeal to a wider range of families in Abu Dhabi.”
Aldar said its growth plan is focused on enhancing Aldar Education’s offering in three main locations in Abu Dhabi – Khalifa City, Saadiyat Island and Yas Island.
In Khalifa City, Aldar Education has agreed its first-ever school acquisition with the purchase of Al Shohub Private School, a British curriculum school.
Aldar is also expanding and relocating the Al Yasmina Academy in Khalifa City.
On Yas Island, Aldar Education will deliver a new school within the Noya community located in Yas North while on Saadiyat Island, Aldar Education is expanding Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.
Aldar will also develop another school under the Aldar Academies brand on Saadiyat Island.
Follow us on
