No Increase in Private School Fees for Dubai’s 2026-2027 Academic Year, Confirms Sheikh Hamdan’s Directive
Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced that there will be no increase in school fees for private schools in the emirate for the 2026-27 academic year. This decision, made under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, underscores the leadership’s commitment to supporting families amid ongoing economic challenges.
Economic Incentives Package
This announcement comes on the heels of Sheikh Hamdan’s approval of a second economic incentives package, valued at AED 1.5 billion, which brings the total economic incentives introduced in Dubai to AED 2.5 billion. This package comprises 33 initiatives designed to be implemented over a timeframe of three to twelve months, aimed at bolstering various sectors, including education.
Private educational institutions authorized by KHDA will benefit from deferred or installment payments for license renewal fees and fines. Early childhood centers will also be exempt from these fees, as well as from market fees imposed by Dubai Municipality.
Support Measures for Educational Institutions
In addition to the fee stability, the Knowledge Fund Establishment has rolled out a series of support measures for its affiliated institutions. Early childhood centers will receive partial rent exemptions and extended rent-free periods for facilities currently under construction.
Educational institutions will also enjoy broader support measures, including partial or full exemptions from guarantee insurance requirements for canceled contracts, temporary suspension of contractual penalty clauses, a freeze on scheduled rent increases at renewal, and deferred rental payments. These measures reflect Dubai’s commitment to ensuring the stability and sustainable growth of the private education sector.
Resilience and Operational Readiness
Currently, over 95% of students are attending on-site learning at private schools, demonstrating the sector’s operational readiness and ability to maintain continuity of education. This robust return to in-person learning indicates growing confidence in the resilience of Dubai’s educational framework.
Surveys conducted during KHDA listening sessions reveal strong confidence among school leaders regarding the sector’s capacity to evolve and enhance educational standards. This commitment ensures that Dubai remains a model for delivering a fully integrated education system that equips future generations with world-class academic foundations.
Teachers participating in these sessions highlighted resilience as a key quality that students are likely to remember from this period, showcasing a culture of adaptability and positive responses to challenges within Dubai’s education community.
Diverse Educational Choices
Dubai’s private education sector continues to provide families with a wide array of educational options across 17 different curricula, catering to diverse fee structures and locations. This variety assists parents in selecting the most suitable learning environment for their children.
KHDA also offers the Girnas – Educational Advisor service, which provides smart chat support and personalized one-on-one sessions for Emirati families, aiding them in choosing the right school for their children.
Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Educational Services at KHDA, emphasized that Dubai’s private school sector is demonstrating flexibility and resilience in adapting to evolving circumstances. This adaptability ensures continuity of learning through a sustainable regulatory framework, thereby strengthening the sector’s stability and competitiveness.
Commitment to Affordable Education
Al Mansouri noted that Dubai remains dedicated to ensuring the stability and sustainable growth of the private education sector while balancing the interests of all stakeholders. Approximately 9,000 new affordable school places were introduced during the current academic year, serving around 230,000 students.
The sector is also preparing to add approximately 7,500 more affordable school places over the next two academic years through incentive packages for education providers. This proactive approach aims to meet the evolving needs of families by providing diverse educational options.
KHDA is currently reviewing over 30 applications for new private schools, following the opening of six new institutions during the current academic year. Student enrollment in Dubai’s private schools increased by 6% in 2025, reflecting growing confidence in the quality of private education and its capacity to support the emirate’s population and economic growth.
For further details, visit the source: www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-05-22 16:24:00 • By the Editorial Desk
