KHDA approves a rise in school fees in Dubai for 2025–2026

Oracle
9 July 2025
1:42 am

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the regulatory body for private education in Dubai, has announced a potential further increase in school fees for the academic year 2025-2026. Private, for-profit schools will therefore be able to request an increase of up to 2,35 %, in accordance with the’Education Cost Index (ECI) approved this year. This decision is part of the emirate’s commitment to ensuring transparency regarding costs whilst maintaining a high standard of educational quality.

An ECI set at 2.35 % for the coming school year

The ECI rate for 2025–2026 is slightly lower than that applied last year (2.6 1Q3Q for 2024–2025). Calculated annually on the basis of the audited financial statements of private schools in Dubai, the ECI takes their operating expenditure into account. It is compiled in collaboration with the Digital Dubai Authority in order to ensure a transparent and accurate methodology.

This year, most schools will see their funding increases based on their most recent official assessment, as full inspections have been suspended for the 2024–2025 academic year. According to the School Fees Framework According to the KHDA, «eligible schools that have retained their rating from the previous year may increase their fees by an amount equivalent to the ECI».

Which schools are eligible for the increase?

Not all private schools will be eligible for this increase. Establishments that have been in operation for less than three years are not permitted to increase their charges. For the others, eligibility depends directly on their most recent inspection:

Schools that have retained their current grading system may apply the full ECI.
Those who have improved their ranking may be eligible for a higher pay rise:
- up to twice the ECI for schools moving from «Poor» to «Adequate» or from ’Adequate« to »Good«; ;
- up to 1.75 times the ECI for schools moving up from «Good» to «Very Good»; ;
- up to 1.5 times the ECI for those progressing from «Very Good» to «Excellent».
Schools whose ratings have fallen are not permitted to increase their fees.

All applications must be approved by the KHDA, which will check that they meet the established criteria.

An impact on parents and a growing education market

For families, this increase remains modest but comes on top of an already buoyant education market. The number of pupils in Dubai’s private schools has risen by 6 % in 2024–2025, with 387,441 enrolled students in 227 establishments. The town is also continuing to expand its school provision, with 10 new schools have opened this year and the imminent arrival of major international organisations, including Harrow International School in 2026.

According to Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Educational Services at the KHDA, said: «This sustainable approach to fee regulation reflects the Dubai government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency. It ensures that the emirate remains a leading destination for high-quality private education, in line with the objectives of the Education 33 Strategy.».

Conclusion

The KHDA’s announcement confirms Dubai’s commitment to maintaining a balance between the quality of educational services and keeping costs down for parents. By setting a ECI at 2.35 1Q3Q, the emirate continues to improve transparency in the sector whilst supporting schools in the management of their resources. With a growing number of schools and a steadily increasing student population, Dubai is consolidating its position as regional leader in private education and reaffirms its appeal to local and international families.

Source: whichschooladvisor