Financial literacy is becoming increasingly important for teens, helping them become financially responsible and confident in their financial decision-making. Equally important is creative thinking that enables innovative and problem-solving mindsets among students. 

Dubai’s private schools stand out in this regard, ranking second in financial literacy and sixth in creative thinking, according to an international study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as part of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022.

The study is conducted every three years, with a focus group of 15-year-old students and their capability to apply such skills in their studies, such as reading, mathematics, and science, to practical situations.

In 2022, Dubai took part in the additional financial literacy and creative thinking domains for the first time.

The report showed that Dubai private schools ranked second out of 20 countries and regions for financial literacy, with a score of 522 points, compared to the OECD’s global average of 498 points.

Additionally, 82% of the students from Dubai noted that they know how to manage their money. Similarly, 79% said they have saving goals for products or services they want to purchase. 

On creative thinking, Dubai private schools also ranked sixth among the 64 participating countries and regions, amassing 36 points compared to the OECD average of 33.

As much as 84% of the 7,474 participating students from Dubai private schools performed at the OECD baseline level or above in creative thinking skills, while 74% expressed confidence in coming up with creative ideas for school projects.

Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said, “These results reaffirm Dubai’s position as a leader in education. They align with the leadership’s vision and goals of D33 and Dubai Social Agenda 33 and reflect our commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the development of our society.”

The study results show that schools that excel in creative thinking also achieve high mathematics, reading, and science scores, said Fatma Belrehif, CEO of the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau. “This highlights the importance of developing our students’ capabilities across all fields to prepare them for the future.”

In mathematics, Dubai private schools ranked ninth globally, with a mean score of 497, exceeding the OECD average by 25 points. For reading, Dubai schools ranked 13th globally, with a mean score of 498, and 14th in science, with a mean score of 503.