The Central School

Indian CBSE curriculum, Al Nahda Second, KG1–Grade 12

Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 12 earlier reports, see all years

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Acceptable

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

  3. Back to text, source C

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Overview

The school

Curriculum
Indian CBSE
Year groups
KG1–Grade 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
1981

Students and staff

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Students, 2024–⁠25
3,978 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
325 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Largest nationality group
Indian Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
SYED ALI HAIDER RIZVI Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 8 Oct 2024, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
4 changes of principal
Syed Rasul Syed Mirza Ghalib, 2011–12 to 2013–14 → SHARAFUDHEEN TK, 2014–15 to 2016–17 → Mrs. Mala Mehra, 2017–18 to 2019–20 → Syed Ali Haider Rizvi, 2022–23 to 2023–24 → HIREN PRAVINBHAI SANGANI, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18

Contact

Address
Al Nahda Second
Phone and email
+971 4 267 4433faisaljaber@centralschool.netPrincipal: HIREN PRAVINBHAI SANGANI
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B
  3. Back to text, source C

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Quality

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 12 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaKGPrimaryMiddleSecondary
TeachingTeaching for effective learningAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGood
AssessmentGoodAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodAcceptableAcceptableGood
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGood
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Students have continued to do well in Islamic Education and English since the school was last inspected. The principal and senior leaders work hard to make sure students do as well in other subjects, and levels of achievement are just beginning to rise. Some of the heads of department are very new to the school and they have not yet had time to make their mark on students' attainment and progress.

Personal and social development

Students' personal and social development are notable strengths and they are proud of their school. They are self-disciplined, respectful towards adults and other students, and they are polite to visitors and interested in talking to them. Students are sensitive to the needs and differences of others and consistently help in lessons and during breaks. Students are fully aware of how to live a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. They take part in a variety of physical exercises and activities.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teaching quality at the school is generally strong, with minimal instances of weaker teaching and a solid foundation of effective teaching. The secondary phase sets a high standard, and English lessons across the school consistently meet expectations. However, in Arabic classes, teaching quality can sometimes be disappointing, impacting students' achievements. Kindergarten (KG) teachers effectively assess and plan activities to foster independent learning, but in other school phases, assessment practices require further refinement to ensure students can engage effectively with challenging lessons and make accelerated progress.

Wellbeing

The genuine sense of well-being at this school is cultivated under the leadership of the principal. His vision of creating a joyful learning environment where all individuals flourish is supported by the governing body, staff, students, and parents. Student ambassadors appreciate his warmth and approachability. Parents entrust their children to the school, confident in the assurance that their well-being will be prioritised. Students can eloquently articulate the positive impacts on their mental and physical health.

Inclusion

The principal and senior leaders have developed systems to identify students’ different learning needs when they join the school. The school makes sure that each student has an individual education plans so that lesson may be shaped to take account of their needs. The school has developed supportive partnerships with parents, particularly in KG. Parents feel involved in their children’s education. At times, some teachers do not match tasks well with the abilities of gifted and talented students and students of determination.

Leadership and management

The principal knows what needs to happen for the school to improve. Most of the senior team have been appointed recently and they have already put some useful systems in place which help the school to run smoothly. Leaders visit lessons regularly to check how good teaching and learning are, but some are too generous in their view of teaching. The plans that leaders have written to improve the school do not have the attainment and progress of students as their driving force.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

School year

6 Apr 2026 to 18 Mar 2027 · 182 school days

Eid al-Adha
26 May 2026 to 29 May 20264 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Islamic New Year
16 Jun 2026expected, subject to moon sighting
Summer break includes Prophet’s birthday
6 Jul 2026 to 28 Aug 202654 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 2 Jan 202720 days
Other school holidays
26 Jan 2027
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, The Central School

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodGood
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptableWeak
EnglishGoodGoodAcceptable
MathematicsGoodAcceptableAcceptable
ScienceAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, The Central School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentachievement PrimaryNot in this reportGoodIslamic Education attainment, achievement Primary: not rated from 2017–18 to 2023–24
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryGoodNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressachievement PrimaryNot in this reportGoodIslamic Education progress, achievement Primary: not rated from 2017–18 to 2023–24
Islamic Education progressPrimaryGoodNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGood
Islamic Education progressMiddleGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
International and Benchmark AchievementGoodNot applicable
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementAcceptableNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyAcceptableNot applicable
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterAcceptableNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • In the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021, students' scores declined from the 2016 level, and did not reach the targets set for the school.
  • However, the school's score of 500 is within the intermediate international benchmark.
  • The most recent external assessment data show that students' reading literacy skills are in line with agerelated expectations.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Progress in international assessments — is below expectations
  • 2019–20: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve its UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is Approaching Expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving National Agenda targets — is below expectations
  • 2016–17: Overall, the school’s improvement towards achieving its National Agenda targets — is not secure
  • 2015–16: no verdict read

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:

  • Indian: the Grade 12 and Grade 10 board certificates, with Grade 11 transcripts.

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. Back to text, source A

School life

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Ball sports

  • Basketball
  • Volleyball

Science & technology

  • Robotics · robotics activities

Debate & strategy

  • Model United Nations

Facilities

  • Playing field
  • Sports courts

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Cultural dance
  • Art
  • Dance (other)

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-23

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 23 September 2026

    Checked 23 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Arabic is not offered in KG.

Facilities

  • Science laboratories

External examinations

  • CBSE
  • CBSE results at Grades 10 and 12
  • CBSE examinations

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • They ensure that each student has an individual education plan (IEP) so that lessons may be shaped to take account of their needs. p. 19
  • Opportunities in lessons for gifted writers are often at an average expected attainment level, and do not allow these students to show their best work. p. 19

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on centraldxb.com, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Admissions

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

Fees

Tuition across 14 year groupsNote 1

AED 4,177 to AED 7,352Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

KG1 to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for The Central School
Compare with

Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, The Central School, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
KG1AED 4,177AED 4,177
KG2AED 4,177AED 4,177
Primary
Grade 1AED 4,762AED 4,762
Grade 2AED 4,762AED 4,762
Grade 3AED 4,762AED 4,762
Grade 4AED 4,762AED 4,762
Grade 5AED 5,260AED 5,260
Grade 6AED 5,260AED 5,260
Secondary
Grade 7AED 5,260AED 5,260
Grade 8AED 5,260AED 5,260
Grade 9AED 5,932AED 5,932
Grade 10AED 5,932AED 5,932
Post-16
Grade 11AED 7,352AED 7,352
Grade 12AED 7,352AED 7,352

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

What a year costs, 2026–27

Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.

Findings

8 findings in the last report: 4 strengths, 4 development points, 4 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Leadership and self-evaluation

Note 1

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    The clear vision and direction set by the principal, and the school’s strong relationships with parents.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3

  • Development required, recurring in 4 of the last 5 reportsNote 2

    Ensure that school self-evaluation is more realistic, and that school improvement planning contains measurable targets and regular review of progress.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Teaching

1 strength, 2 development points

  • StrengthSecondary phase

    The good standard of teaching in the secondary phase.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4

  • Development required, recurring in 5 of the last 5 reports

    Improve teaching, particularly in Arabic.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

  • Development required, recurring in 5 of the last 5 reports

    Train all leaders to make accurate evaluations of the impact of teaching on students’ progress.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength

  • Strength

    Students’ very strong personal development and their wellbeing.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

Health, safety and safeguarding

1 strength

  • Strength

    The effective provision for the care and support of students.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

Curriculum and challenge

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reports

    Ensure that the school curriculum fully matches the expectations of the Indian National Curriculum Framework 2023.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8

Findings from 1 of 11 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 5 reports, 2017–18 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

History

13 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2009–10 to 2023–24.

History of The Central School
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24AcceptableSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23AcceptableSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20AcceptableSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19AcceptableSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18AcceptableSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17AcceptableSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16AcceptableSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  11. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  12. 2014–15AcceptableSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2013–14AcceptableSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2012–13AcceptableSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2011–12AcceptableSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2010–11AcceptableSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10AcceptableFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, The Central School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–253,978Not availableNot available
2023–243,598209Not available
2022–233,29920920%
2021–222,785Not availableNot available
2020–212,838Not availableNot available
2019–202,83318423%
2018–192,79917221%
2017–183,020178Not available
2016–173,13518216%
2015–163,14217533%
2014–153,292Not availableNot available
2013–143,661Not availableNot available
2012–133,136Not availableNot available
2011–122,413Not availableNot available
2010–112,401Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.

Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English

Parent Reports · PDF, English

A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.

Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English

KHDA school directory · web page, English

KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2021–22 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2020–21 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)

School website · web page, English