Dubai Maintains Private School Fees for 2026-27 Academic Year

Dubai has officially declared that private school fees will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 academic year. This announcement was made by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), following directives from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council.

This initiative is part of a broader economic support strategy, which includes a newly approved AED 1.5 billion economic incentives package. Consequently, the total financial support for Dubai has now reached AED 2.5 billion, featuring 33 specific initiatives scheduled for implementation over the upcoming three to twelve months.

Under this initiative, KHDA-approved private schools are set to benefit from deferred or installment-based license renewal fees and the postponement of fines. Additionally, early childhood centers will receive significant assistance, including exemptions from license renewal fees, penalties, and Dubai Municipality market fees.

Support will also be extended through the Knowledge Fund Establishment, providing partial rent exemptions and extended rent-free periods for centers still under construction.

Educational institutions will experience reduced financial burdens through partial or total exemptions from guarantee insurance requirements, temporary suspension of penalty clauses, frozen rent increases upon renewal, and deferred rental payments.

KHDA emphasized that these initiatives are designed to ensure stability and promote sustainable growth in Dubai’s private education sector while addressing the needs of both families and institutions. The sector continues to operate under a flexible framework conducive to maintaining high-quality education.

As it stands, more than 95% of students in Dubai's private schools are attending in-person classes, reflecting robust confidence in the education system and its operational effectiveness.

Dubai’s private education landscape offers families a wide array of choices across 17 different curricula, along with diverse fee structures and locations throughout the emirate. KHDA also offers the “Girnas – Educational Advisor” service to assist parents in choosing the ideal schools for their children.

According to KHDA, approximately 9,000 new affordable school seats have been introduced in the current academic year, benefiting nearly 230,000 students. Additionally, 7,500 more affordable seats are expected over the next two years.

KHDA is also reviewing over 30 applications for new private schools, following the establishment of six new schools this year. Student enrollment in Dubai’s private schools has surged by 6% in 2025, exemplifying growing confidence in the sector's essential role in supporting the emirate's development.