Locally developed educational franchise, Edublox is set to open its first reading and learning clinic overseas later this month. Edublox Dubai, in United Arab Emirates (UAE) marks the first step in a major expansion project to open 42 reading and learning clinics across the Middle East region.
“We have grown a successful franchise model in South Africa with established systems and policies that work. It is now ready to be replicated internationally, enabling us to help more children achieve their full potential,” says Henk du Plessis, Edublox managing director.
Edublox clinics provide specialised educational interventions to improve cognitive development for children who are struggling academically or want to improve school performance. Franchising began in January 2010; five years on there are 22 franchises across Southern Africa – the latest clinic opened in Nelspruit in February this year. While home programmes are already exported to over 40 countries around the world, the Dubai clinic in the cosmopolitan Jumeirah Lake Towers district of Dubai will be the first of its kind in the region.
Former English teacher and new franchisee of the Dubai clinic, Majd Atassi noticed a gap in the market for educational intervention programmes. “This is a very new concept for parents in Arab countries, few people know how to help children with learning problems. They also have high expectations for their children and want them to achieve.” In her online search for a service with proven results Atassi was impressed by the success of the South African franchise.
Abdulkader Awad of Smart Develop has joined Edublox as master franchisor in the Middle East region. Awad said that once the pilot franchise had proven results, they would quickly expand across the region. “Our target is to open seven clinics in the UAE and more in Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar. Once we have proved the quality with the pilot franchise in Dubai, we have the opportunity to become the market leaders in the Middle East.”
Before the Dubai franchise could open, the Edublox programmes and business model passed a rigorous registration processes with local trade and educational authorities in the UAE to critique financial viability and sound educational principles of the franchise and services. The first clinic, situated within 15 kilometres of 15 schools will open this month.
“This is a significant and proud milestone for Edublox which forms part of our greater business expansion programme, in line with our goal to help more children achieve the joy of academic success,” concludes du Plessis.
For more information, visit www.edublox.co.za. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook.