​As many as 701,081 students are studying in the Sultanate's government, private and community schools, Oman's official statistical agency. The majority of the students are enrolled at various government schools with their numbers reaching 523,522, followed by private schools with a student strength of 97,465.  While there has been a 9% annual increase in student population in private schools, government schools registered a marginal 1.3% growth in student numbers. The number of students in various community schools rose 7% to reach 57,986. The number of students in other government-run schools including Islamic institutes, schools run by the Royal Guards, Royal Oman Police, Royal Air Force and  preschools as well as Children's Centres under the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and Omani Women's Association reached 22,108 posting a significant 21% rise over last year. Though private schools have the majority of students, growth rate in student strength in government schools witnessed a three-fold increase this year at 1.3% as against 0.4% last year. In contrast, the comparable annual growth rate in student numbers in private schools during the previous and current academic years stood at 12% and 9% respectively, registering a decline. Looking at the two ends of the general education spectrum, the kindergartens have a total student strength of 75,384 of which 38,201 are boys, whereas the post-basic education grade (11-12) students number 84,232 of which boys exceed 43,000. Among the governorates Al Batinah North has the highest number of students in government schools at 102,535, followed by Muscat at 90,325 and Dakhliyah at 80,162. Meanwhile Al Wusta has the least number of students registered in government schools totaling 5873. The Sultanate has 1,048 government schools across the governorates, of which 511 are mixed, and 192 girls-only. Boys' schools number 345. Al Batinah North tops the list of governorates with 174 schools. Dhofar comes in at second with 149 while Muscat has 147 government schools. Interestingly, Muscat has 18 government schools – the highest number -- with a student strength exceeding 1000.  Al Batinah North and Ad Dhakhliyah have respectively seven and six government schools where students number more than 1000. Muscat dominates the private education sector with 182 schools, leaving behind Al Batinah North (68 schools) and Al Dakhliyah (56). Total number of private schools in the Sultanate stands at 486. NCSI data also reveals that the Sultanate has as many as 57,986 students in various international schools, with Muscat schools taking the lion's share at 39,105.