Parents in Dubai may soon find relief from soaring education costs as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced a new strategy to make school fees more affordable. The move was revealed during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre by Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of KHDA.
Rising concern over school fee hikes
Dubai is home to some of the region’s most prestigious private schools, catering to its diverse expatriate and Emirati population. However, many families have struggled with the rising cost of education. Earlier this year, the KHDA approved an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 per cent for the 2025–2026 academic year, allowing schools to raise fees in line with operational costs such as salaries, rentals, and infrastructure.
While the ECI was designed to balance sustainability with affordability, parents have continued voicing concerns. Social media discussions and parent groups have highlighted how education expenses are putting significant strain on family budgets, with some expatriate families reporting education costs exceeding AED 1 million over the course of their children’s schooling in Dubai.
KHDA’s new strategy: affordability at the forefront
Responding to these concerns, Aisha Abdulla Miran confirmed that KHDA is rolling out a comprehensive strategy to reduce the financial burden on parents while keeping the quality of education intact.
“We recently noticed on social media, and many sent me messages, including a foreigner saying that the cost of her children’s education was AED 1 million in Dubai. On this basis, in the education strategy, we focused on providing good education at reasonable prices,” said Miran.
The strategy focuses on:
- More fee options: Encouraging the development of schools that cater to different income brackets.
- Investor diversification: Introducing policies to attract a wider pool of educational investors, ensuring that new schools entering the market can offer competitive pricing.
- Holistic cost management: Factoring in expenses beyond tuition, including staff housing, infrastructure, and operational overheads, to design sustainable models that keep fees stable.
- Maintaining excellence: Ensuring affordability does not compromise the emirate’s reputation for high academic standards.
For parents living in Dubai
For expatriate and Emirati families alike, the new strategy could mark a turning point in Dubai’s private education market. By creating more competition among investors and schools, KHDA aims to widen the choice of quality schools at varied fee levels.
Parents who have been concerned about annual tuition hikes may benefit from a more predictable and manageable fee structure. At the same time, the focus on cost management at the operational level signals a shift towards long-term sustainability in the sector.
Education remains a priority in Dubai
The announcement underscores Dubai’s commitment to maintaining its position as a global hub for quality education while addressing the realities of household finances. As the city continues to attract professionals and families from around the world, affordable education remains a vital factor in ensuring Dubai’s appeal as a place to live and work.
The KHDA’s strategy is expected to roll out in stages, with more details to be announced in the coming months. Parents, educators, and investors alike will be watching closely to see how the new measures reshape Dubai’s education landscape.
Dubai parents often face one of the highest education costs in the region, but the KHDA’s new affordability-driven approach could bring meaningful change. By balancing cost management with the promise of academic excellence, the emirate aims to ease the financial strain on families while ensuring its schools remain world-class.
