The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), acting under directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, confirmed that tuition fees for the emirate's private schools will remain frozen for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The decision follows the authorization of a 1.5 billion Dirham ($408 million) economic stimulus package, bringing recent municipal incentives to a total of 2.5 billion Dirhams. The broader stabilization program comprises 33 distinct initiatives scheduled for implementation over the next three to 12 months.

To offset the revenue freeze for educational providers, the regulatory framework introduces multiple institutional relief measures. Private schools and early childhood centers will receive deferred or installment-based licensing fees and a temporary suspension of regulatory fines. Early childhood facilities are further exempted from municipal market fees and will receive partial rent relief or extended rent-free construction windows from the Knowledge Fund Establishment. Larger educational institutions will see a freeze on scheduled commercial rent hikes, deferred rental schedules, and full or partial waivers on contract guarantee insurance requirements.

According to data released by the authority, student enrollment in Dubai’s private schools grew by 6 percent in 2025. Over 95 percent of the student population has returned to on-site instruction across institutions offering 17 different curricula.

Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Educational Services at the KHDA, stated that the tuition freeze aims to balance stakeholder interests and manage household costs during a period of population growth. Al Mansouri noted that the municipal strategy added roughly 9,000 affordable school seats during the current academic year, bringing total capacity in that specific pricing tier to 230,000 students.

The authority plans to add an additional 7,500 affordable seats over the next two academic cycles. The KHDA is currently reviewing more than 30 applications for new private school licenses, following the opening of six institutions earlier this year.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Andrew Shelepnytsky

Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.