Indian schools in GCC: Nurturing identity and global mindsets

Blending Indian ethos with Arabian values

Indian schools across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries blend Indian and local curricula, celebrating multiculturalism and sustainability. They nurture global-minded students, strengthen cultural ties, and offer a sense of belonging to expatriate families.

Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the large number of Indian schools are more than mere sites of learning. They have become one of the primary cultural anchors for the ever-growing Indian diaspora spread across the six members of the GCC, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Kuwait. For tens of thousands of expat families, these educational institutions are not only places of academic rigour but also emotional links to home, upholding Indian values and helping children adapt to their host countries’ cultures.

The numbers themselves tell a compelling story. There are around 9 million Indian expatriates living across six oil-rich Gulf countries. It includes 3.5 million in the UAE, 2.5 million in Saudi Arabia, 1 million in Kuwait, 0.74 million in Qatar, 0.65 million in Oman, and 0.32 million in Bahrain.

There are about 217 Indian schools catering to the educational requirements of this fast-growing community across the Gulf region, with 106 in the UAE, 37 in Saudi Arabia, 26 in Kuwait, 21 in Oman, 19 in Qatar, and eight in Bahrain. Each of these represents a miniature India, blending its rich cultural ethos with those of local countries while catering to the educational needs of 21st-century students.

A classroom where two worlds meet

Most Indian Gulf schools are affiliated with the Indian national education board, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and follow its prescribed curriculum. It offers opportunities for educational continuity and curriculum familiarity for the children of Indian families moving to these countries, as well as easy reintegration for those returning to India.

At the same time, these schools also incorporate local subjects and lessons, in addition to the requirements set forth by the host country’s educational policy. For example, in the UAE, Arabic language, Islamic Studies, and UAE Social Studies are included compulsorily, according to the guidelines prescribed by its Ministry of Education.

According to Neha Nagi Anand, who served as the Head of Social Sciences Department at Oasis International School in Al Ain, UAE, blending of curricula makes students more sensitive to local sociocultural norms.

“Incorporating subjects like Arabic language, as prescribed by host countries, helps students appreciate the heritage and culture of these countries. Our schools promote inclusivity and global citizenship through cross-curricular projects, moral education, and environmental initiatives in line with the UAE’s vision for sustainability and tolerance,” Anand, who has over a decade of experience working with Indian curriculum-based schools abroad, tells Media India Group.

Interestingly, these schools not only cater to the educational needs of the Indian expatriate children population but also attract a significant number of students from other South Asian expat communities. In doing so, they promote India’s educational and cultural ethos while fostering diversity within their classrooms.

“The vast majority of children come from migrant communities of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Alongside Indian Social Studies, they study local curricula and celebrate multiculturalism through events such as Second Language Day and Global Village programmes,” Hisham Ul Wahab, who has taught Islamic Studies at an Indian school in the UAE for the last two years, tells Media India Group.

Another significant role these schools play is bringing India’s national and cultural ethos alive in these home-away-from-home settings. Festivals like Diwali, Onam, and Holi, as well as national days like Republic Day and Independence Day, are central to school annual calendars, bringing campuses alive with colour and joy.

“Our celebrations are inclusive and educational. Students from all backgrounds join the festivities and learn to respect every culture,” Anand adds.

At Oasis International School, like most schools, cultural assemblies and Indian Embassy programmes ensure a connection with the homeland, while events such as Intercultural Days and National Day celebrations foster the spirit of coexistence.

Teaching beyond borders

For Indian teachers, working in these Gulf schools brings opportunities and challenges in equal measure. First and foremost, they must meet both Indian and local governmental teaching qualification standards in the Gulf countries, often requiring multiple approvals from bodies such as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) or the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), in the case of the UAE.

“Teachers in Indian schools in the Gulf experience both unique challenges and valuable opportunities compared to their counterparts in India,” Neha Anand, who currently works with Mussoorie International School in Uttarakhand and previously taught in Indian schools in the Gulf from 2019 to July 2025, tells Media India Group.

“They require constant professional development so as to be able to adapt to diverse student groups, besides implementing inspection frameworks and aligning with best international pedagogical practices. Yet, the exposure to global teaching methods, digital classrooms, and AED-assured quality standards makes it a dynamic professional environment,” she adds.

For teachers teaching in these schools provides them with regular opportunities to familiarise themselves with the latest educational technologies implemented by local governments.

“We get multiple opportunities to hone our skills in curriculum design and teaching pedagogies through workshops, which makes us acquainted with current educational standards and better serve our students,” Wahab adds.

Bridging nations and building futures

Indian schools across the Gulf serve as living bridges between India and its expatriates, fostering cultural connections while also bringing them into harmony with their host countries. They reflect India’s educational excellence and inherent sociocultural values, while also embracing the progressive, tolerant, and sustainable visions of Gulf countries.

“Indian schools in the Gulf have played a significant role in strengthening cultural and educational ties between India and the host country. They nurture students who are deeply rooted in Indian culture yet globally informed and appreciative of their surroundings,” says Anand.

The integration of aspects of local curricula, such as UAE social studies, with the Indian syllabus, participation in sustainability initiatives of local governments, and an emphasis on community welfare, reflects the growing synchronisation between Indian traditions and the aspirations of Gulf countries. At the same time, for Indian expatriate families living far from home, these schools offer a sense of belonging and pride, ensuring that their children are shaped into confident global citizens grounded in academic excellence and India’s sociocultural values.