Three schools in Dubai were shut down at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year for not meeting quality standards, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The education regulator emphasized that the closures underscore the priority given to student welfare.
The announcement was made during a ‘Meet the CEO’ event organized by the Government of Dubai Media Office. The KHDA did not provide specific details about the schools involved.
Typically, schools in Dubai undergo annual inspections and receive ratings from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Weak,’ which are linked to fee adjustments. However, for the 2024-25 academic year, most private schools will not face full inspections unless they are new and in their third year of operation. Schools can request a full inspection, subject to KHDA approval.
KHDA Director General Aisha Miran shared in a Khaleej Times report that preparations for the current academic year began in January. The KHDA conducted over 50 sessions with more than 700 participants from 290 educational institutions to gather feedback for developing an efficient educational model aligned with Dubai’s growth.
Miran highlighted the diversity, flexibility, and high quality of Dubai’s private education sector, which includes 223 private schools serving over 365,000 students with 17 different curricula. Additionally, Dubai has 285 early childhood centers and 38 higher education institutions, with new institutions opening this year to accommodate the growing demand.
Miran also outlined KHDA’s priorities for the new academic year, focusing on growth and maintaining Dubai’s reputation as a leading global destination for high-quality education. She noted significant increases in enrollment across all educational levels over the past two years, supporting Dubai’s social and economic agendas.