Dubai’s School Fee Hikes: Navigating the Financial Landscape for Families

A significant wave of school fee increases has rolled across Dubai, with some parents facing hikes of up to Dh5,000 for each child. This has left many families scrambling for solutions, weighing their options, and attempting to adjust their budgets. While some fee increases are modest, reaching only a few hundred dirhams, the financial pressure is palpable for numerous families as they grapple with the rising costs of education.

Fee Hikes: What’s Driving the Increase?

In May 2025, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) approved a 2.35% rise in the Education Cost Index (ECI) for private for-profit schools destined for the 2025-2026 academic year. This decision allows schools to modify their fees based on individual performance as dictated by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) and the ECI. Families across Dubai have begun receiving notifications concerning these increases, which substantiate the ongoing trend to accommodate inflation and escalating operational costs faced by educational institutions.

For many, the rise in fees has been an unwelcome surprise. However, some parents find themselves relieved by the relatively manageable increases, allowing them to retain their current schooling options without drastic adjustments.

A Mixed Reaction from Parents

The responses from parents have varied widely, reflecting their unique financial situations and schooling choices. Manal, a resident with two children enrolled in an Indian syllabus school in Al Quoz, reported a modest fee increase of Dh400 per year for both kids. She expressed relief, stating, "We had budgeted for an increase this year so we were not caught off-guard."

On the flip side, Vivek, an Indian expat with children in a premium school, now faces a staggering increase of Dh10,000 annually. Despite the heavy burden, he was able to take advantage of a lump sum payment option that mitigated the jump somewhat; his actual increase amounts to Dh3,000.

Meanwhile, other parents like German expatriate Greta, whose three kids go to a British syllabus school, are contending with larger hikes as her fees rose by Dh2,000 per child, totaling Dh6,000 annually. Greta feels trapped, unable to switch schools due to her eldest child transitioning to Year 11. As a result, she is cutting back on extracurricular activities to help mitigate the financial strain.

The Growing Need for Affordable Options

Amid the rising costs, many parents are exploring alternatives, including transferring their children to more budget-friendly schools. Mohammed Iqbal remarked on the relief he felt with a relatively small increase of Dh1,200, while R.M., whose children have faced consecutive years of hikes, acknowledges the difficult landscape: “It puts a burden on parents because unfortunately, salaries don’t increase at the same rate as the costs.”

This sentiment resonates with Umm Mohammed, who proactively moved her daughter to a more affordable school prior to the fee hikes. Previously paying over Dh55,000 annually, she shifted her daughter to a school costing Dh30,000. "It was the best decision," she recalled, expressing satisfaction with the manageable annual increase of Dh1,000 at her new school.

The Bigger Picture: Dubai’s Expanding Private School Sector

Dubai’s private school sector has witnessed a robust boom, highlighted by a 12% increase in student enrollment in the 2023-2024 academic year. With 227 private schools catering to 387,441 students from 185 different nationalities, this growth in enrollment has likely fueled the rising demand for private education and the corresponding fee hikes.

Despite the challenges, many parents still recognize the value of the private education system in Dubai. Schools are increasingly offering flexible payment options, which can help alleviate the pressure associated with escalating fees. The diverse range of institutions, from international curricula to specialized programs, provides parents with more choices, even if those options are often accompanied by higher price tags.

In this evolving landscape, adapting to rising costs is an ongoing necessity for many families. The quest for quality education continues, but securing it requires careful financial planning and consideration of all available alternatives.