Parents in Dubai could see a small increase in school fees next year. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has approved a 2.35% Education Cost Index (ECI) for the 2025-26 academic year, giving eligible for-profit private schools permission to raise tuition, within limits.
The ECI is tied to real school costs like staff salaries, rent, and support services. It’s calculated using audited financial data submitted by schools, reviewed jointly by KHDA and the Digital Dubai Authority.
Only private schools operating in Dubai for more than three years are eligible to apply for a fee adjustment. All applications for fee increase submitted by schools will be reviewed by KHDA to ensure compliance with its set criteria.
The fee hike helps schools manage rising costs while continuing to offer high standards of teaching and facilities. It comes at a time when Dubai’s private education sector is booming, with over 227 private schools catering to 387,441 students from 185 nationalities. Student enrolment rates grew by 6 percent in 2024-25 academic year and by 12 percent in 2023-24 academic year.
15 new schools opened in the past two academic years, with over 20 more under review. As part of this expansion, Dubai is also set to welcome prestigious, world-class institutions like Harrow School next year.
These developments support Dubai’s Education Strategy 33, which aims to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033, giving families more choice and access to world-class education.