Global ambitions
The school's influence extends beyond its walls.
Since 2019, the UAE's "Hundred Schools Project" has expanded Chinese language education to 171 schools and 71,000 students.
"The Chinese School Dubai is not merely a school. It's also a bridge for cultural exchanges and a symbol of friendship," said Abdulla Al Saleh, undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Saturday Mandarin classes at the Chinese School Dubai this semester have attracted over 200 participants from nearly 20 countries.
Among them is 13-year-old Emiliya Miroshnichenko.
The Dubai-born girl was enrolled in the school for grade seven after taking several Saturday lessons, which helped her discover the depth of Chinese education. "At my old school, they used calculators for simple calculations. Here, they push critical thinking," she said.
Her mother, Nadezhda Prossalova, sees a major shift in thinking about education. "British education was once our only option here. China opened a door we never imagined," she said.
