Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Dubai’s private schools will not increase tuition fees for the 2026-27 academic year following directives from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The decision was confirmed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and forms part of Dubai’s wider efforts to support families and maintain education sector stability. The move follows approval of Dubai’s second economic incentives package worth Dh1.5 billion, bringing total recently announced economic support measures to Dh2.5 billion. Private educational institutions licensed by KHDA will benefit from deferred or instalment-based licence renewal fees and deferred fines. Early childhood centres will also receive exemptions from licence renewal fees, fines and Dubai Municipality market fees. Additional support from the Knowledge Fund Establishment includes partial rent exemptions and extended rent-free periods for centres under construction. Educational institutions will also benefit from temporary suspension of contractual penalties, deferred rental payments and exemptions from guarantee insurance requirements for cancelled contracts. Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Educational Services at KHDA, said, “Dubai’s private school sector continues to demonstrate flexibility and resilience in adapting to evolving developments, ensuring continuity of learning through a flexible and sustainable regulatory framework that strengthens the sector’s stability and competitiveness.” She added that the measures reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading global education destination under the emirate’s Education 33 Strategy. Private school enrolment in Dubai rose by 6 percent in 2025. KHDA said around 9,000 affordable school places were added this academic year, with affordable schools now serving about 230,000 students. The authority is currently reviewing more than 30 applications for new private schools following the opening of six schools this year. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Dubai's new Dh1.5B relief package explained
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