Private school fees in Dubai will remain unchanged for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed, as part of a broader set of economic relief measures directed by Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The fee freeze is one component of a second economic incentives package worth AED 1.5 billion approved by Sheikh Hamdan, which brings the cumulative value of recently announced incentives to AED 2.5 billion. The package encompasses 33 initiatives to be rolled out over a three- to 12-month window.
Private schools and early childhood centres licensed by KHDA stand to benefit from several financial reliefs under the package, including deferred or instalment-based licence renewal fees and the deferral of outstanding fines. Early childhood centres receive additional relief through full exemptions from licence renewal fees, Dubai Municipality market fees, and fines.
The Knowledge Fund Establishment has extended parallel support to its affiliated institutions. Centres currently under construction may qualify for rent-free periods, while operational early childhood centres are eligible for partial rent exemptions. Broader measures for educational institutions include temporary suspension of contractual penalty clauses, rent increase freezes at renewal, deferred rental payments, and partial or full relief from guarantee insurance requirements tied to cancelled contracts.
Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licencing and Educational Services at KHDA, said the measures reinforce the regulatory environment supporting the sector. “Dubai’s private school sector continues to demonstrate flexibility and resilience in adapting to evolving developments, ensuring continuity of learning through a flexible and sustainable regulatory framework that strengthens the sector’s stability and competitiveness. This further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for quality education, in line with the goals of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.”
Al Mansouri noted that around 9,000 new affordable school places were introduced during the current academic year, with those schools now serving approximately 230,000 students. A further 7,500 affordable places are expected to be added across the next two academic years through dedicated incentive packages for education providers.
More than 95% of students are currently attending classes on-site at private schools. Student enrolment across the sector grew by 6% in 2025.
KHDA is currently reviewing more than 30 applications for new private schools, having already approved six new school openings this academic year. Families navigating school choices can access the authority’s Girnas – Educational Advisor service, which offers smart chat support and personalised consultations for Emirati families.
Dubai’s private education sector currently spans 17 curricula across varied fee brackets and locations throughout the emirate.
