Dubai schools set for fee increase

Private schools in Dubai will be able to hike tuition fees by up to 3 per cent for the 2023-24 academic year, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The rate by which schools can increase their fees is tied to each school’s most recent inspection rating from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau. 

Under the School Fees Framework, private schools that maintain the same inspection rating will be eligible to increase their fees by 3 per cent, while schools dropping in the annual ratings will not be allowed to implement any fee increase.

Schools that improve their rating will be eligible to increase their fees according to the methodology outlined in the School Fees Framework.

Mohammed Darwish, Chief Executive Officer of Permits and Compliance Sector at KHDA said: “The School Fees Framework emphasises the quality of education offered by schools as the foundation for any adjustments allowed in school fees. The framework also provides transparency for families and offers them a choice of schools that match their financial and academic requirements. 

“The framework was developed to allow schools to develop long-term growth plans while sustaining their current operations to provide a high quality of education to students. We have worked closely with our stakeholders to ensure the school fees framework continues to support a robust and reliable private education sector that offers families a choice of affordable and high-quality education.”

Enrolment at Dubai private schools has increased by 4.5 per cent since the last academic year. Twenty-two new schools have opened in the last three years, bringing the total number of private schools in Dubai to 216. 

Taking into account the current economic and academic situation in Dubai, the approved rate for fee increase at Dubai private schools for the 2023-24 academic year is set at 3%.

— KHDA | هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية بدبي (@KHDA) March 10, 2023