Schools across Dubai have begun informing parents of fee hikes approved by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) for the 2025–2026 academic year. While some schools have implemented minor increases of AED 200, others, particularly high-end institutions, have raised annual fees by as much as AED 5,000 per student.
KHDA approved a 2.35% average fee increase earlier this year, but the actual rise varies by school. Parents are reacting differently—some choosing to pay fees upfront to access discounts, others considering school transfers due to affordability concerns.
Dubai resident Manal said her Indian syllabus school in Al Qusais only raised fees by AED 400, which she finds manageable. In contrast, expatriate Vivek, whose children attend a premium school, expects to pay around AED 3,000 more even after lump sum discounts.
Greta, a German national with three children in a British curriculum school in Jumeirah, reported a fee increase of AED 2,000 per child, totaling AED 6,000, not including books and uniforms. Despite the cost, she’s reluctant to change schools due to her son entering Grade 11.
Dubai hosts 227 private schools with over 387,000 students from 185 nationalities. Student enrollment rose by 12% in the 2023–24 academic year, but rising tuition is now a growing concern for many families.
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