Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced that private school fees will not be increased for the academic year 2026-27, the directives issued by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The announcement comes shortly after the launch of the emirate’s second economic stimulus package worth AED 1.5 billion, bringing the total value of relief measures introduced so far to AED 2.5 billion.
Early childhood education centers will also benefit from exemptions on licensing fees, fines, and municipal market charges. In addition, the Knowledge Fund Establishment will provide partial rent concessions and extension facilities to support educational institutions during the implementation period.
Officials further explained that the package includes relaxed insurance guarantee requirements for educational institutions, restrictions on rent increases, and flexibility in delayed payments. These measures are intended to provide balanced relief to schools, investors, and parents alike.
Dubai’s private education sector has continued to record steady growth in recent years. More than 95 percent of students are currently attending physical classes, while schools across the emirate offer 17 different international curricula to meet the needs of a diverse population.
The authority revealed that nearly 9,000 new low-cost seats have been added this year, with around 230,000 students currently enrolled in such institutions. Plans are also underway to introduce an additional 7,500 seats over the next two years in order to accommodate growing demand.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that more than 30 applications for new private schools are currently under review, while six new institutions have already opened during the current year. Dubai also recorded a six percent increase in private school enrollments in 2025, reflecting continued confidence in the emirate’s education sector despite global economic challenges.
