Dubai's KHDA Confirms No Fee Increase for Private Schools in 2026-27

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that private school fees in Dubai will remain unchanged for the academic year 2026-27. This announcement comes under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council.

This decision aligns with the wider economic support strategy of Dubai, which recently saw the approval of a second economic package valued at AED 1.5 billion, raising the cumulative economic aid to AED 2.5 billion. This package encompasses 33 new initiatives set to be executed over the upcoming three to twelve months.

Included in these measures, KHDA-approved private schools will enjoy deferred or installment-based license renewal fees and postponed fines. Early childhood centres will also receive significant support, which includes waivers for licence renewal fees, fines, and Dubai Municipality market fees.

Moreover, through the Knowledge Fund Establishment, early childhood centres will benefit from partial rent exemptions, as well as extended rent-free durations for centres still in the development phase.

Educational institutions will experience eased financial burdens, with partial or complete exemptions from guarantee insurance requirements, the temporary suspension of penalty clauses, frozen rent increases upon renewal, and deferred rent payments.

The KHDA emphasized that these initiatives aim at ensuring stability and encouraging sustainable growth within Dubai's private education sector, while also addressing the needs of families and educational institutions. The education system continues to function under a flexible structure, ensuring continuity and quality.

Presently, over 95% of students in private schools are back in on-site classes, showcasing strong confidence in the educational ecosystem and its capacity to facilitate effective learning.

Dubai's private education sector caters to families with diverse offerings across 17 curricula, presenting various fee structures and locations within the emirate. To assist parents in choosing suitable schools for their children, KHDA provides the “Girnas – Educational Advisor” service.

KHDA reports that around 9,000 new affordable school seats have already been introduced this academic year, catering to almost 230,000 students, with an additional 7,500 seats projected to be added in the next two years.

Furthermore, KHDA is currently evaluating over 30 applications from prospective new private schools, following the establishment of six new schools this year. Notably, student enrolment in Dubai’s private schools grew by 6% in 2025, reflecting increasing public trust in the sector's role in the emirate’s development.

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