Expansion of the International School Industry in Muscat, Oman

Abstract

An international school system has emerged in many countries, initially as a means of serving a transitory expatriate population, but evolving significantly in both purpose and design. There are variations in the way the system operates depending on the specifics of the context in which each institution is established. This chapter showcases the findings of an examination of the international school sector in Muscat, Oman from the perspective of individuals associated with the sector, as gleaned from semi-structured interviews conducted between April and May 2022. It is argued that Oman's international schools industry, although less advanced than that of many GCC counterparts, has experienced noticeable growth in recent decades. The conclusion formed is that while there is currently a healthy level of competition which benefits consumers (overseas as well as local students and families), the state of Muscat's international school sector should be monitored over time to ascertain the extent of the threat to existing institutions.