Private schools in Dubai are now eligible to raise their fees by a maximum of 5.2 percent, depending on their performance in the latest annual inspections. However, schools that have experienced a decline in their ratings will not be granted permission to increase fees.
Dubai's education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), has revealed an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.6 percent, which serves as the benchmark for potential fee adjustments for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year.
The rate of fee increase is directly tied to the ratings received by each school during the annual inspections conducted by the KHDA. Any changes to fees by schools must be approved by the KHDA.
It's important to note that the ECI is based on the yearly audited financial reports of private schools in Dubai, outlining the operational costs of running a school and calculated in collaboration with the Digital Dubai Authority.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities had prohibited private schools from increasing their fees for three consecutive years. The recent announcement marks the second consecutive year that schools have been allowed to adjust fees. In the 2023-24 academic year, educational institutions were permitted to increase fees by up to 6 percent.
