Dubai unveils new KHDA strategy to make school fees more affordable
Dubai has taken a bold step towards easing the financial pressures faced by families with school-going children. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched a new strategy aimed at reducing private school fees while maintaining high educational standards. The announcement was made by Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of KHDA, during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Listening to parents’ concerns
The rising cost of education has long been one of the top concerns for parents in Dubai. In some cases, tuition fees at premium schools can exceed Dh100,000 per year, making them a significant financial commitment for many households. Families have often taken to social media to highlight these challenges, with one parent even sharing that she had spent Dh1 million on her children’s education in the emirate.
Acknowledging these concerns, Aisha Miran stressed that the new education strategy is built on one clear promise—making quality education more affordable for all families.
New opportunities for socially-minded investors
At the heart of the KHDA’s plan is a new policy designed to encourage investment from entities that prioritise community benefit over profit. These socially-driven investors will play a key role in offering high-quality education at reasonable prices.
To make this possible, the government will provide a package of incentives, including:
- Subsidised land rentals
- Reduced land prices
- Operational cost support through improved urban planning
This new model aims to diversify Dubai’s education landscape and give parents more options across different price ranges.
Beyond fees: a holistic approach
The strategy goes beyond reducing tuition alone. It introduces a holistic system that considers all the factors that contribute to education costs. Urban planning will be integrated into school development, ensuring that land use, infrastructure, and accessibility are carefully designed to lower operational expenses.
Teacher welfare is also a central part of this initiative. By providing affordable housing and better support for school staff, Dubai aims to reduce schools’ overall expenses, which will ultimately benefit parents through more affordable tuition fees.
Building towards Dubai’s Education 33 vision
This new initiative ties in with Dubai’s broader Education 33 vision, which seeks to expand access and enhance quality by opening 100 new private schools by 2033. Already, 15 schools have been launched in the past two years, and more than 20 applications are currently under review by the KHDA.
Today, the city has 227 private schools, enrolling over 387,000 students from 185 nationalities. With enrolments rising by 12 per cent in 2023–2024 and expected to increase further, affordability has become a pressing need alongside expansion.
What parents can look forward to
For parents, this strategy brings much-needed relief and reassurance. In the coming years, families can expect:
- Slower and more controlled tuition fee increases
- A greater range of mid-tier schools with reasonable pricing
- More transparency in fee structures and operational costs
- Access to quality education without compromising financial stability
The KHDA’s new education strategy reflects a careful balance—supporting families while maintaining Dubai’s reputation for excellence. By linking affordability with global ambition, the emirate is not only easing current burdens but also building a sustainable future for generations of students.
