Two new public schools are to open in Dubai next year, the Ministry of Education announced. The schools - set to be ready in time for the start of the school year in September, 2020 - will offer additional places for close to 8,000 pupils in Al Barsha and Al Mizhar. The schools, which will boast a wide variety of facilities, including robotic laboratories and art rooms, are being opened to help boost the quality of government education in the emirate. Zayed Educational Complex, in Al Barsha, will have a capacity of 3,800 pupils and will boast modern faculties such as multiple laboratories, art rooms, music rooms and sports fields. Built on an area of 40,433 square metres, Zayed Educational Complex in Al Mizhar will be able to serve 3,900 pupils. The new school will have 62 laboratories, two libraries, art and activity rooms as well sports fields. This year, the Ministry of Education launched its first Zayed Educational Complex in Sharjah. The schools will help meet the demands of an ever-changing education sector, arming pupils with skills in technology and innovation, as well as robotics, health sciences, business and enterprise. “The school building is one of the most important basics of the educational process, and an influential factor of its success,” said Ghaya Al Muhairi, director of Dubai Education Zone. “It increases attainment of students and whenever the school building is appropriate and equipped with all means and amenities, the positive impact on the entire educational process will be more extensive.” According to the Ministry of Education, there are 639 public and 580 private schools across UAE. Last month, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority said eight new private schools were to open by 2020, creating 13,000 new places for pupils.