Tuition Fees Set to Rise in Dubai

Tuition Fees May Rise in Dubai Private Schools for 2025-2026

In the upcoming school year, profit-oriented private schools operating in Dubai can officially raise their tuition fees – the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has approved a 2.35% Educational Cost Index (ECI) for the 2025-2026 academic year.

What is the basis for the increase?

The ECI is determined annually based on audited financial statements submitted by schools, in cooperation with the Digital Dubai Authority. The index reflects the operating costs of private schools, particularly focusing on maintaining high-quality education for students.

For the 2024-2025 school year, the ECI was higher, at 2.6%, indicating a more moderate increase approved this year by the authority.

How does the fee increase process work?

In Dubai, only those private schools can increase fees that:

- Operate profit-oriented,

- Have been open for three years or more,

- Meet the quality requirements prescribed by the KHDA.

The upper limit for fee increases is the currently approved ECI, i.e., 2.35%. No further increase can be implemented beyond this, and the current increase cannot be carried over to subsequent years. Schools can apply for the increase for each academic year separately, which the KHDA reviews on a case-by-case basis.

It is important to emphasize that the categorization of schools – which determines their ability to increase fees – is carried out by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) based on regular evaluations.

Transparent Regulation, Sustainable Operations

The KHDA stresses that the determination of the ECI is based on a transparent and professionally grounded methodology, allowing schools to manage efficiently while maintaining high educational standards. This approach aligns with the Dubai Government’s goal of keeping the educational sector sustainable and competitive, fitting the Education Strategy 33.

This strategy aims to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033 to meet the growing demand of the population.

Strong Growth in Private Education

There are currently 227 private schools in Dubai, with a total of 387,441 students. The students represent 185 different nationalities. Enrollments increased by 12% in the 2023-2024 academic year and by a further 6% in the 2024-2025 year.

In the past two years, 15 new schools have opened, and more than 20 new institutions are currently in the approval process.

What does this mean for parents and students?

The authorization of fee increases presents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, parents will have to account for higher costs, but on the other hand, the indexed fee increase ensures that the quality of education does not suffer due to rising operational costs.

The application of the ECI seeks to balance minimizing parents’ burdens with the operational sustainability of schools.

In summary:

The KHDA has approved a 2.35% ECI for the 2025-2026 academic year in Dubai, setting a framework for the tuition fee increase applications of profit-oriented private schools. The regulation aims for transparency, sustainability, and the preservation of high educational standards in a city striving for global leadership in education.

(Source of the article: Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announcement.)