Global Indian International School, Abu Dhabi
CBSE School in Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
CBSE
ADEK
Good
Location
Abu Dhabi, Bani Yas
Fees
AED 18K - 36K
The Executive Summary
Global Indian International School Abu Dhabi occupies a distinctive position in the Bani Yas schools landscape: it is one of the most affordable CBSE curriculum Abu Dhabi options for families seeking a structured, academically grounded Indian-curriculum education without the premium price tag of larger international campuses. Rated ADEK rating Good in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection, the school serves 2,296 students from Pre-KG through Grade 12 and sits within the globally recognised Global Schools Group (GSG) network - a Singapore-headquartered chain with 64 campuses across 11 countries. Its school fees Abu Dhabi range of just AED 11,540 to AED 13,650 per year makes it one of the most competitively priced private CBSE schools in the emirate, a compelling proposition for Indian-expatriate families prioritising curriculum familiarity and value. The school's proprietary 9GEMS holistic framework - covering academic excellence, sports, performing arts, entrepreneurship, and community care - gives it a structured co-curricular identity that differentiates it from purely exam-focused CBSE rivals in the region.
ADEK Good 2024CBSE Grades N4-129GEMS FrameworkGlobal Schools GroupAED 11,540 Entry Fees
“Since 2016, we have been privileged to be a part of GIIS, and our personal experience has been nothing short of fabulous. GIIS has struck an impeccable balance between academics and extracurricular activities. We appreciate the approachable nature of teachers even beyond regular school hours.”
— KG2 ParentsAcademic Framework & Learning Style
GIIS Abu Dhabi delivers the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum from Grade 1 through Grade 12, with the school's proprietary Global Montessori Plus (GMP) programme applied in Pre-KG and Kindergarten. This dual-track approach means the youngest learners benefit from a child-led, play-based Montessori environment - complete with dedicated Montessori labs and STEAM rooms - before transitioning into the more structured CBSE framework from Grade 1 onwards. The school operates a Bridge Programme specifically designed to ease this transition from primary to middle years, a thoughtful structural feature that addresses one of the more common pressure points in Indian-curriculum schooling. The CBSE framework itself emphasises a broad academic foundation across languages, mathematics, sciences, and social studies, with students sitting the CBSE Grade 10 board examinations and CBSE Grade 12 board examinations as the primary external academic milestones. According to the ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection, English attainment reached Very Good in Cycle 3 (upper secondary), and the school achieved its PISA 2022 reading literacy target score of 454, demonstrating genuine competence in English language development. Islamic Education progress is rated Very Good across all phases, and UAE Social Studies attainment is rated Very Good across all phases - both strong results. However, Mathematics attainment has declined to Acceptable in Cycles 2 and 3, and Science attainment is Acceptable in Cycle 3 - areas that parents of academically ambitious secondary students should weigh carefully. The school participates in EI ASSET standardised assessments: Grade 3-4 Science results reached Outstanding, and Grade 5 and 7 English reached Outstanding, providing genuine external validation of primary-phase performance. The school also entered TIMSS 2023 for the first time, with results pending. For university preparation, GIIS operates Career Mapping and University Connect Programs at the senior secondary level, offering individual counselling, university visits, and career fairs. However, specific university destination data and acceptance rates are not published at campus level, which limits parents' ability to benchmark senior secondary outcomes independently. The pedagogical approach is evolving: the ADEK inspection noted that Phase 1 has shifted away from didactic teaching toward a more inquiry-led model, though the impact on outcomes is not yet measurable. Assessment practices were rated Acceptable across all phases in the 2024 inspection - a regression from the previous cycle - indicating that the use of assessment data to inform planning and provide differentiated challenge remains an area requiring urgent attention. SEN provision covers 27 students of determination, though the inspection flagged that care and support for these students requires more personalised and consistent delivery.
Very Good
English Attainment - Cycle 3
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection finding
454
PISA 2022 Reading Score
School met its set reading literacy target
Outstanding
EI ASSET Science - Grades 3 & 4
External standardised assessment result
Acceptable
Mathematics Attainment - Cycles 2 & 3
Declined since previous inspection; area for improvement
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Extracurricular and co-curricular activities are not an afterthought at GIIS Abu Dhabi - they are structurally embedded within the school's 9GEMS educational framework, which mandates that sports excellence, visual and performing arts, creativity and innovation, and community care form explicit pillars of student development alongside academic learning. The school offers a broad range of ECAs and CCAs spanning sports, arts, technology, and culture, with options ranging from swimming and taekwondo to clay-making and needlework - designed to appeal to students across all age groups and interests. Competitive sports form a meaningful strand of the programme, with data analytics in sports cited as part of the campus infrastructure, indicating a degree of seriousness about athletic development beyond recreational participation. Performing arts are supported through dedicated music studios and art studios on campus, and the school hosts inter-campus events including Al Tasamuh - a UAE-wide and global GIIS platform where students compete in singing, dancing, linguistic, and STEAM activities - and Qutuhal, a competition series focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative problem-solving using digital resources. These inter-campus programmes give GIIS students exposure to a wider competitive community beyond the Abu Dhabi school environment, which is a genuine differentiator for a school at this fee level. The Leadership Lecture Series connects students with industry experts globally, providing real-world career exposure that complements the academic programme. Community service and social responsibility are embedded through the 9GEMS framework's Community and Care pillar, and the school's I-Care programme - which encompasses environmental awareness, organic gardening, and sustainability themes - provides structured social responsibility engagement. The school also identifies high-performing students in ECAs for intensive specialist coaching through its Gold Squad Programme, rewarding talent and ambition beyond the classroom.
9
9GEMS Pillars of Development
Academic, Sports, Arts, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Community, Innovation, Leadership, Skills
9GEMS Framework ECAsAl Tasamuh Inter-CampusQutuhal Innovation SeriesGold Squad ProgrammeLeadership Lecture Series
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection rated Health and Safety, including child protection and safeguarding, as Very Good across all phases - the strongest pastoral finding in the inspection report and a genuine area of school strength. This is not a minor distinction: in a school of 2,296 students spanning Pre-KG through Grade 12, robust safeguarding infrastructure matters enormously, and inspectors found that health and safety procedures are effectively implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. The school's physical and mental well-being philosophy is articulated clearly in its mission, with Principal Dilip Kumar emphasising that the campus fosters a nurturing learning environment that values and respects each child. However, the 2024 inspection also found that Care and Support regressed to Acceptable across all phases - a meaningful downgrade from the previous cycle - indicating that the personalised support infrastructure for individual students, particularly students of determination, requires significant improvement. The school has 27 registered students of determination, but inspectors flagged that care and guidance for these students is not yet sufficiently personalised or consistent. Student personal development was rated Acceptable across all phases, which, while not alarming, suggests the pastoral systems for nurturing individual growth and social-emotional learning need strengthening. The school's parent engagement model is a genuine strength: parents are encouraged to volunteer, attend orientation sessions, and engage through the myGIIS parent portal, which provides real-time access to notices, announcements, and administrative updates. One-on-one meetings and parent-teacher conferences supplement the digital channel. The inspection confirmed that the partnership between school and parents is Very Good, and this is consistently reflected in parent feedback, with families describing teachers as approachable and responsive even beyond school hours.
“Despite Devika joining the school in the middle of the academic year, she was able to easily adapt to the new environment and teaching techniques. All thanks to the supportive, helpful and motivating teachers at GIIS. One aspect of the school that stood out to me is the importance placed on co-curricular activities alongside academics.”
— Grade 7 MotherCampus & Facilities
GIIS Abu Dhabi is located at 148 Al Tafawwuq Street in Bani Yas, a primarily residential area on the eastern edge of Abu Dhabi city. The campus opened in September 2015 and was designed on the lines of the new school model proposed by ADEK, incorporating what the school terms SMART Campus infrastructure: digital classrooms, campus-wide WiFi, virtual conferencing capability, audio-visual systems throughout, and data analytics tools applied even to sports programmes. For families living in Bani Yas, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Khalifa City, or the eastern Abu Dhabi suburbs, the campus location is genuinely convenient; for families based in central Abu Dhabi or Saadiyat Island, the commute warrants consideration. The Early Years section is a particular facility highlight: dedicated Montessori Labs, a KG Library, a Marketspace, and a gym are provided specifically for Pre-KG and Kindergarten students - a level of age-appropriate specialisation that is uncommon at this price point. The school's Global Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GCIE) - a dedicated department for technological advancement - houses Robotics and Maker Space facilities, computer science labs, and STEAM research areas. A dedicated Art Studio, Music Studio, and Science Laboratories support specialist subject delivery across secondary phases. The library serves both English and Arabic curricula, with approximately 13,000 English-medium books and a smaller Arabic collection; the ADEK inspection noted that the Arabic book provision is limited relative to student numbers, and the library's teaching function is underutilised, particularly by the Arabic Second Language department. The school has a multi-purpose auditorium for performances and whole-school events, and outdoor sports grounds for physical education and competitive sports. Technology infrastructure includes interactive touchscreen boards in classrooms and access to a Microsoft IT Academy programme. The campus is described as resource-efficient and designed to support wellness across all stakeholder groups.
13,000+
English Books in Library
Serving 2,296 students; Arabic provision noted as limited
2015
Campus Opened
Designed to ADEK new school model specifications
SMART Campus InfrastructureMontessori Labs & KG GymGCIE Robotics & Maker SpaceMicrosoft IT AcademyMulti-Purpose AuditoriumScience & Art Studios
Teaching & Learning Quality
The ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection presents a nuanced picture of teaching quality at GIIS Abu Dhabi. Teaching for effective learning was rated Very Good in Cycle 1 (primary, Grades 1-5) - a genuine strength - and Good in KG, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. This means that the primary phase is where teaching is most consistently strong, while secondary teaching, though rated Good, shows greater variability. Inspectors noted explicitly that the quality of teaching is variable and not yet consistent across all subjects and phases, and that the shift away from didactic instruction in Phase 1 is working well but has not yet demonstrated measurable impact on student outcomes. The school employs 106 teachers supported by 26 teaching assistants, with teacher nationalities predominantly Indian, Pakistani, and Egyptian. The school's website describes faculty as experienced and dedicated, using the CBSE curriculum as a foundation while applying personalised approaches to encourage lifelong learning. The teacher-to-student ratio is approximately 1:22 across the school as a whole - a figure that is broadly in line with CBSE school norms in the UAE but leaves limited room for the kind of deep differentiation that higher-attaining students in particular require. The ADEK inspection's key recommendation on teaching specifically called for more open questioning techniques, greater opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving, and more consistent use of assessment data to inform lesson planning. The Assessment strand was rated Acceptable across all phases - a regression since the previous inspection - which is the single most concerning teaching quality finding. When assessment is not functioning effectively, teachers cannot identify gaps, differentiate appropriately, or track whether interventions are working. The school's use of technology in teaching - interactive boards, digital platforms, and the Hey Math learning platform for Mathematics - is a positive feature, and the ADEK inspection acknowledged that the curriculum is being modified across subjects to align with TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS requirements. Professional development is supported through regular ADEK-organised training programmes, and department-level data analysis meetings are in place for English, Mathematics, and Science.
106
Total Teaching Staff
Supported by 26 teaching assistants
1:22
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Approximate, based on 2,296 students and 106 teachers
Acceptable
Assessment Quality - All Phases
Regressed since previous inspection; ADEK key concern
Leadership & Management
GIIS Abu Dhabi is led by Principal Dilip Kumar Roop Narayan, who was appointed since the previous ADEK inspection cycle, making him a relatively new appointment at the time of the 2024 Irtiqa review. The ADEK inspection rated Leadership effectiveness as Very Good - a strong finding - while School Self-Evaluation and Improvement Planning was rated Good, and Governance was rated Good. The inspection noted that leaders have introduced numerous new initiatives in the current academic year, but acknowledged that there has not yet been adequate time to assess their impact on student outcomes. This is a fair and nuanced observation: new leadership bringing new energy is a positive sign, but parents should monitor whether the initiatives translate into measurable improvement in the weaker areas - particularly assessment, Mathematics attainment in secondary, and support for students of determination. A specific concern raised by inspectors is that the Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) is descriptive rather than evaluative - meaning the school describes what it does rather than rigorously interrogating whether it is working. This is a governance and accountability gap that the inspection explicitly flagged. The school is owned and operated by the Global Schools Group (GSG), headquartered in Singapore, which provides the overarching 9GEMS pedagogical framework, shared resources, inter-campus programmes, and group-level professional development. GSG's network of 64 campuses across 11 countries and over 45,000 students gives GIIS Abu Dhabi access to a substantial institutional infrastructure that smaller independent schools cannot match. Parent communication is managed through the myGIIS portal, supplemented by parent-teacher meetings, one-on-one sessions, and orientation events. The inspection confirmed that the school's partnership with parents is Very Good - a consistent strength across inspection cycles. The inspection also recommended that governors establish a more focused programme of school visits based on school priorities, to more effectively hold leadership accountable for student performance outcomes.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The October 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection confirmed GIIS Abu Dhabi's overall rating of Good - unchanged from the previous inspection cycle. This rating stability is a double-edged signal: it demonstrates that the school has not declined, but equally that it has not broken through to Very Good despite leadership changes and new initiatives. For parents, a sustained Good rating across two consecutive inspections suggests a school that is functionally sound but has not yet unlocked the next level of performance. The inspection found genuine strengths in health and safety, Islamic Education progress (Very Good across all phases), UAE Social Studies (Very Good across all phases), and English attainment in Cycle 3 (Very Good). Leadership was rated Very Good - a strong endorsement of the school's strategic direction under new management. The school's parent partnership was also rated Very Good, confirming a community that is engaged and broadly satisfied. The most significant concerns raised by inspectors relate to four areas: Mathematics attainment in Cycles 2 and 3 has declined to Acceptable; Assessment quality has regressed to Acceptable across all phases; Care and Support has regressed to Acceptable; and Arabic as a Second Language remains Acceptable across all phases with limited progress in writing and reading comprehension. These are not minor footnotes - they represent structural weaknesses in the school's academic delivery and student support systems. The inspection also called for improved student attendance, more SMART targets in the school improvement plan, and more rigorous governor oversight. The school's PISA 2022 reading score of 454 met its internal target but did not reach the international average, and the Mathematics PISA score of 466 fell below both the school's target and the international benchmark - providing external context for the internal assessment concerns.
Health & Safety: Very Good
Health and safety procedures, including child protection and safeguarding, are effectively implemented across all phases. Inspectors identified this as one of the school's most consistent and reliable strengths.
Parent Partnership: Very Good
The school's relationship with its parent community is rated Very Good, with strong communication channels, active parent engagement, and a myGIIS portal that keeps families informed and involved.
Islamic Education Progress: Very Good All Phases
Progress in Islamic Education is Very Good across all four phases, with the large majority of students making better-than-expected progress. UAE Social Studies attainment and progress are also Very Good across all phases.
Assessment Quality: Regressed to Acceptable
Assessment practices regressed to Acceptable across all phases since the previous inspection. Inspectors called for more consistent use of data to inform planning, improved marking and feedback policies, and better tracking of student progress - particularly for higher attainers and students of determination.
Mathematics & Secondary Science: Declining Attainment
Mathematics attainment has declined to Acceptable in Cycles 2 and 3, and Science attainment is Acceptable in Cycle 3. The PISA 2022 Mathematics score of 466 fell below both the school's own target and the international average, signalling a systemic challenge in upper-school STEM delivery.
Inspection History
2024
Good
2023
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Global Indian International School (GIIS) Dubai offers a competitive and transparent fee structure for the academic year 2026-2027, covering Kindergarten through Grade 12 under the CBSE curriculum. Annual tuition fees (post-discount) range from AED 17,749 for Pre-KG up to AED 35,874 for Grades 11 and 12. The school applies a KHDA-approved fee with a school-offered discount, resulting in a lower discounted annual fee that remains fixed regardless of payment schedule. Fees are split across three terms: Term 1 (April–June), Term 2 (September–December), and Term 3 (January–March).
AED 17,749
Annual Fees From
AED 35,874
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre-KG
AED 17,749KG 1
AED 18,957KG 2
AED 20,165Grade 1
AED 21,374Grade 2
AED 22,582Grade 3
AED 23,791Grade 4
AED 24,998Grade 5
AED 26,207Grade 6
AED 26,919Grade 7
AED 28,624Grade 8
AED 29,832Grade 9
AED 31,676Grade 10
AED 32,248Grade 11
AED 35,874Grade 12
AED 35,874In addition to tuition, parents should budget for books (AED 649) and uniform (AED 649 + VAT) charged annually, as well as a one-time application fee of AED 500 + VAT. New students pay a registration deposit of AED 1,500 (adjustable against Term 1 fees), while returning students pay a re-registration fee of AED 1,000 (also adjustable against Term 1 fees). Optional transportation is available across seven zones, with annual fees ranging from AED 4,500 (Zone 1) to AED 8,000 (Zone 7).
GIIS Dubai positions itself as one of the more affordable international schools in Dubai offering a CBSE curriculum, making quality Indian-curriculum education accessible to a wide range of families. The school also offers a 10% sibling discount on tuition for second children, and provides merit-based and holistic development scholarships for eligible students from Grades 1 to 10. Payment is accepted via cash, credit card, cheque, or standing order auto-debit.
Additional Costs
Books Fee649(annual)
Uniform Fee649(annual)
Application Fee500(one-time)
Registration Deposit (New Students)1500(one-time)
Re-Registration Fee (Existing Students)1000(annual)
Transport – Zone 14500(annual)
Transport – Zone 25000(annual)
Transport – Zone 35550(annual)
Transport – Zone 46000(annual)
Transport – Zone 56500(annual)
Transport – Zone 67000(annual)
Transport – Zone 78000(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount10%%
Scholarships & Bursaries
GIIS Dubai offers four types of scholarships for students in Grades 1 to 10: Global Future Ready Merit Scholarship, Zayed Gandhi Merit Cum Means Scholarship, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship, and 9Gems Holistic Development Scholarship. Eligibility is based on grade, academic performance, talent, and gross income. Students must be UAE residents (Residence Visa or Emirates ID holders). Scholarship tenure ranges from 1 to 2 years.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
GIIS Abu Dhabi is a genuinely well-positioned school for a specific and clearly defined family profile. Its combination of CBSE curriculum continuity, 9GEMS holistic framework, Global Schools Group network membership, and fees that sit well below the Abu Dhabi private school average makes it a compelling choice for Indian-expatriate families who prioritise curriculum familiarity, cultural alignment, and value for money. The school's primary phase - particularly KG through Cycle 1 - is its strongest academic zone, with Very Good teaching in primary and strong English and Social Studies outcomes. The ADEK rating of Good is stable, leadership is rated Very Good, and the parent community is engaged and broadly satisfied. These are meaningful positives. The honest caveat is that families with academically ambitious children heading into secondary school - particularly those targeting competitive university admissions in India, the UK, or the US - should scrutinise the Acceptable Mathematics attainment in Cycles 2 and 3, the regressed Assessment rating, and the limited published data on university destinations. These are not dealbreakers, but they require active parental engagement and supplementation. GIIS Abu Dhabi is not the right choice for families seeking an Outstanding-rated school, those who need robust SEN provision beyond basic support, or those for whom Arabic language development is a priority. It is, however, a strong choice for the family it is designed to serve.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Indian-expatriate families in Bani Yas and eastern Abu Dhabi seeking CBSE curriculum continuity, a structured holistic development framework, and genuinely affordable fees - particularly for primary-age children where the school's teaching quality is strongest.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising elite secondary academic outcomes, robust SEN provision, strong Arabic language development, or an Outstanding ADEK rating; also less suitable for families commuting from central Abu Dhabi or Saadiyat Island.
“
GIIS has struck an impeccable balance between academics and extracurricular activities. The school regularly organizes various competitions and platforms for students to showcase their talents - and the teachers are approachable even beyond regular school hours.
— Primary School Parent
Strengths
- Most affordable CBSE school fees in Abu Dhabi at AED 11,540-13,650
- ADEK Good rating sustained across consecutive inspection cycles
- Leadership rated Very Good by ADEK 2024 inspectors
- Health and safety including safeguarding rated Very Good across all phases
- Parent partnership rated Very Good; myGIIS portal enables active engagement
- 9GEMS framework provides structured holistic development beyond academics
- Global Schools Group network gives access to inter-campus programmes and resources
- Primary phase teaching rated Very Good; strong English and Social Studies outcomes
Areas for Improvement
- Mathematics attainment declined to Acceptable in Cycles 2 and 3
- Assessment quality regressed to Acceptable across all phases - a key inspection concern
- Care and support for students of determination rated Acceptable; needs improvement
- No published university destination data at campus level
- Arabic as a Second Language remains Acceptable across all phases