KHDA will be freezing tuition fees for some schools in Dubai, in an effort to maintain affordability for parents
13 February 2020
| Last updated on 16 February 2020
The tuition fee freeze comes into effect this September 2020
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that they will not allow any tuition fee hike for private schools in Dubai, in a step towards maintaining the affordability of education for parents.
Starting from the new academic year on September 2020, private schools in Dubai will not be eligible for increasing school fees.
The official announcement came after the release of the annual Education Cost Index (ECI) in accordance with international standards. The Dubai Statistics Centre revealed this year's calculations at -2.35%.
The Dubai Media Office has also tweeted about the KHDA decision:
It hasn't been confirmed that the official freeze on fees will also cover other school-related expenses, such as school bus transportation, school uniforms, and learning materials. As of now, Dubai private schools are only prohibited from raising tuition fees in the new academic year.
Mohammed Darwish, Chief of KHDA’s Regulations and Permits Commission, said, "The School Fees Framework prioritises the interests of students and parents and encourages investment in the education sector by allowing schools to develop long-term growth plans, as well as motivating existing schools to improve the quality of education they offer. The Education Cost Index provides complete transparency to both families and investors and balances expectations."
However, some private schools may still be eligible for an exceptional fee increase, provided the institution meets the eligibility criteria stated in KHDA's exceptional fee guidelines for schools.
Dubai has seen over 70 new schools open in the emirate in the last several years, with more than 70,000 new students enrolled.