According to KHDA, the pace at which schools can modify their fees is dependent on the results of their most recent inspection.
Depending on how they performed in the most recent yearly inspections, private schools in Dubai may see a 5.2% increase in tuition. Schools that see a decline in their ratings will not be permitted to request a fee increase.
This coincided with the announcement of an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.6% by Dubai's education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which will allow educational institutions to modify their tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year.
The rate of rise is determined by the regulator's annual inspection rating for each institute. The KHDA must give its approval before schools can modify their fees.
Here are the calculations:
The annual audited financial accounts of private schools in Dubai serve as the foundation for the Education Cost Index. It is generated in conjunction with the Digital Dubai Authority and provides an overview of the operational costs associated with operating a school.
Schools are permitted to raise fees for the second year in a row this year, following three years of fee freezes (2020–21, 2021–22, and 2022–23) as a result of the Covid-19 epidemic. In 2023–2024, educational institutions were permitted to increase tuition by up to 6%.
Shamma AlMansouri, director of Permits at KHDA, highlighted the alignment of fee adjustments with schools' inspection ratings, emphasizing quality and enhancing competitiveness. Applying a scientific methodology to monitor and analyze audited financial statements ensures transparency and considers stakeholders' interests. This approach fosters continuous improvement in education quality and safeguards the sustainability of Dubai's private schools sector.
During the previous academic year, 77% of pupils were enrolled in schools that received a rating of "Good" or higher. Private schools in Dubai saw a 12% rise in enrollment over the previous school year. In Dubai, there are 220 private schools with 17 distinct curricula offered to over 365,000 pupils.
News Source: Khaleej Times
