The rate by which schools can increase their fee is tied to each school’s most recent inspection rating from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau 

Dubai, March 10, 2023: Private schools in Dubai will be eligible for a 3 per cent increase in tuition fee for the 2023-24 academic year, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced 

The approved fee increase takes into account the economic situation of the emirate, as well as the operational costs of running a private school while maintaining the quality of education.  

The rate by which schools can increase their fee is tied to each school’s most recent inspection rating from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau.  

Under the School Fees Framework, private schools that maintain the same inspection rating will be eligible to increase their fee by 3 per cent. Schools dropping in the annual ratings will not be eligible for any fee increase. 

Mohammed Darwish, Chief Executive Officer of Permits and Compliance Sector, KHDA says, “The School Fees Framework emphasises the quality of education offered by schools as the foundation for any adjustments allowed in school fees. The framework also provides transparency for families and offers them a choice of schools that match their financial and academic requirements.  

“The framework was developed to allow schools to develop long-term growth plans while sustaining their current operations to provide a high quality of education to students. We have worked closely with our stakeholders to ensure the school fees framework continues to support a robust and reliable private education sector that offers families a choice of affordable and high-quality education.” 

Schools that improve their rating in the most recent inspections will be eligible to increase their fees according to the methodology outlined in the School Fees Framework. 

Reacting to KHDA’s announcement, Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education said that KHDA’s decision has empowered schools to invest further in their teachers and facilities. “We are pleased to confirm today that we will be implementing teacher salary increases in April for our Indian curriculum schools and in September for our international schools,” he added. 

Enrolment at Dubai private schools has increased by 4.5 per cent since the past academic year. Twenty-two new schools have opened in the last three years, bringing the total number of private schools in Dubai to 216.