What Dubai's School Fees Increase Means For You

What Dubai's School Fees Increase Means For You

This week, news reports shared a breaking story that every parents dread to read: school fees in Dubai have increased. Even when headlines occur annually targeting the ever-increasing hikes in fees, we're always left bewildered at the thought they've upped the costs... Again...

 

Sure, the news is absolutely frustrating - in an economy where many parents and families aren't receiving salary increases (throw in the introduction of VAT next year, too, don't forget), having to cough up extra fils for their child's education is becoming increasingly straining on wallets. 

We've been keeping an eye on the new school fees for each educational institute in Dubai over the past few days, and some have released their 2017/2018 tuition fees. As expected, many have increased... But surprisingly, many of them aren't as steep as we were expecting (yet - keeping checking back for updates on each school's fees). 

Indeed, there's no blaming you if you're a parent and you're worrying... 

SEE ALSO: A full list of Dubai's school fees

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) have announced that private schools in the Emirate will be able to increase their tuition fees by as much as 4.8 per cent for next year. The rate allowed for the fee hikes is based on the Education Cost Index (ECI) by the Dubai Statistics Centre. The ECI takes into consideration a school's operatinc costs - including everything from rent, maintenance, water charges and teachers' salaries and more. 

But this doesn't mean ALL schools in Dubai will increase their fees. 

In fact, the highest 4.8 fee hike only applies to the Emirate's oustanding schools, as rated by the KHDA. Those deemed 'very good' will be able to raise their fees by 4.2 per cent, 'good' schools by 3.6 per cent and all other schools by 2.4 per cent. 

Plus, while they are able to increase their fees - this doesn't mean that ALL schools will do so. 

Currently, there are only 16 outstanding schools in Dubai, rated by the KHDA. These include institutions such as Jumeirah English Speaking School, GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai International Academy, Dubai College, Kings' School Dubai and others. 

So how much are we talking?

While the percentages undoubtedly sound staggering, examining just exactly how much per year you'd be paying extra as a parent helps to clarify things. 

For instance, Jumeirah English Speaking School - rated outstanding - charged their Sixth Form fees (Years 12 - 13) at Dhs 89,274 per year for 2016/2017. If they were to apply the new 4.8% increase to their schools for the academic year 2017/2018, it'd mean parents would pay an extra Dhs 4,285 per year. Theoretically speaking. 

In total, that's Dhs 93,59 per year.

GEMS Wellington Academy is rated very good, and charged parents with children in Year 6 Dhs 43,551 for the year 2016/2017. As per the new increase allowances, they could theoretically up their fees by Dhs 1,829.14. The new (pretend - we are only giving an example, after all) total would be Dhs 45,380.

SEE ALSO: How to choose the right school for your child

*Again, these are purely theoretical and in no way are true increased fees of these schools we've used as examples. Many schools are still yet to release their 2017/2018 fees. 

The question is then... Will Dubai's schools enforce the fee increase for 2017/2018? Only time will tell... Schools tend to release their new prices around March/April time each year, so keep checking back at our Dubai schools fees page to keep track of what's happening.