Hey Raha blog · Dubai school life

Will Dubai School Fees Rise in 2027-28? What the KHDA Inspections Mean for Parents

By Marie Adly · 20 October 2026

Dubai private school fees are frozen for the 2026-27 school year, confirmed by KHDA on 22 May 2026. Nobody knows yet whether fees will rise for 2027-28. KHDA has brought back school inspections, and a school's new or existing rating will decide how much it could raise fees if an increase is allowed. The final call rests with Dubai's government and, according to Gulf News, is expected in April or May 2027.

Last updated: 20 October 2026

The fee freeze was a relief. The question now in every class group is "so what happens next year?" Here's what's known, what isn't, and the KHDA rules worth knowing whatever happens.

Dubai school fees are frozen for 2026-27

On 22 May 2026, under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, KHDA confirmed there would be no increase in private school fees in Dubai for 2026-27. Dubai Media Office said the decision followed the approval of Dubai's second economic incentives package, worth AED 1.5 billion, which also deferred or split licence renewal fees for private schools.

The freeze is for 2026-27 only. It says nothing about 2027-28.

What decides a fee increase in Dubai for 2027-28

Gulf News set out the moving parts on 13 October 2026, quoting KHDA. Three things decide whether your school's fees go up:

1. The government's decision. Dubai's leadership makes the final call on whether any increase is allowed. Gulf News says this is expected in April or May.
2. The Education Cost Index (ECI). This reflects the cost of running a school, including staff wages, support services and rent. KHDA usually calculates it in April. It was 2.6% in 2024 and 2.35% for 2025-26 (announced on 2 May 2025).
3. Your school's inspection rating, under the fee framework. This is where the new inspections come in.

Gulf News is clear that a good rating doesn't mean fees will rise: any increase depends on the framework, the ECI and a government decision.

KHDA's new school inspections in Dubai: QA1 and QA2

Inspections are back after a two-year pause. From the Gulf News explainer:

• QA1 is a full inspection against the UAE School Inspection Framework. The school's overall rating can go up, down or stay the same.
• QA2 is a targeted visit where data shows specific areas to improve. It doesn't change the school's rating.
• Schools get no more than 24 hours' notice, and only find out then whether it's QA1 or QA2.
• Schools entering their third year of operation will get a QA1. Schools in their first or second year get specialised visits instead.
• KHDA will use school data, including learning outcomes, parental complaints and leadership evaluation, to decide which visit a school gets.
• New focus areas: early childhood education, education for Emirati students, inclusion for students of determination, and Arabic.
• KHDA is collecting updated school data in October 2026, and inspections can start any time after that. No start date has been given.
• Schools can appeal a rating within two months, and KHDA then has one month to decide.

The six ratings are Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak and Very Weak.

How a KHDA rating has linked to fee rises in Dubai before

From Gulf News' summary of previous years:

• Schools that kept their rating could raise fees by up to the ECI.
• Schools that improved could qualify for more, up to twice the ECI depending on the jump.
• Schools whose rating fell couldn't raise fees.

For 2027-28, if an increase is approved, a QA1 school's eligibility would be based on its new rating, and a QA2 school's on its existing rating from up to two years ago.

To give you a feel for the numbers, Gulf News uses this example: a 2.35% rise on annual fees of AED 50,000 would be AED 1,175. That's an illustration, not a forecast.

What we don't know yet about 2027-28 fees in Dubai

Unconfirmed, as of 20 October 2026:

• Whether any increase will be allowed for 2027-28. Gulf News reports it isn't known whether the government will look at a freeze again.
• The 2027 ECI. It hasn't been calculated. KHDA usually works it out in April.
• Whether the same formula will apply. KHDA says it isn't clear yet whether the framework or the ECI will change.
• When inspection results will be published. Results are usually announced together at the end of the first inspection cycle.

We'll update this page when KHDA announces the 2027-28 decision.

KHDA rules on deposits, instalments and refunds in Dubai

Whatever happens with 2027-28 fees, these are the rules in KHDA's 2026 Registration and Refund Policy for all Dubai private schools:

Paying fees

• Schools can only collect tuition in three instalments, due at the start of each term: no more than 40% for Term 1, 30% for Term 2 and 30% for Term 3.
• Or schools can choose to collect it in 10 equal monthly instalments, worked out by dividing the annual tuition by 10. So if you're wondering about "school fees in Dubai per month", ask whether your school offers this.

Deposits

• Application fee: up to AED 500, and not deductible from tuition.
• Registration deposit for a new pupil: no more than 10% of annual tuition, only after you've accepted a formal offer, and deducted from fees.
• Re-registration deposit to keep your child's place next year: no more than 5% of annual tuition or AED 500, whichever is higher, and deducted from next year's fees.
• September-start schools can only collect the re-registration deposit after spring break, and the deadline can't be earlier than 1 May.
• Both deposits are refundable if you give formal notice at least 60 calendar days before the start of the school year, and non-refundable if you give less notice.

Withdrawing and refunds

• You must submit a formal withdrawal request. Your child being absent doesn't count as withdrawal, and fees keep running while they're on the register.
• Tuition paid before the year starts is refundable, minus the deposit if you withdraw less than 60 days before the start.
• During a term: enrolled two weeks or less, one month's fees are deducted; two weeks to a month, two months' fees; more than a month, the full term's fees.
• The school can hold the Withdrawal Certificate and Transfer Certificate until all fees are paid.
• Disputes go through the school's complaints process first, then to KHDA.

Abu Dhabi school fees are set by ADEK

Abu Dhabi private schools follow ADEK's fees policy, not KHDA's. Schools must publish their ADEK-approved fees on their website, charge only within them, and apply to ADEK within its announced windows to raise fees. If you're in Abu Dhabi, check your school's stamped ADEK fee schedule.

What to do now about 2027-28 fees in Dubai

• Diary 1 May 2027. That's the earliest a September-start school can set the re-registration deposit deadline.
• Diary 1 July 2027. That's 60 calendar days before the 2027-28 year starts on Monday 30 August 2027, so it's the last day to give notice and still get a re-registration deposit back if your school starts on that date. Check your school's own start date.
• Look up your school's current KHDA rating and watch for an inspection this year.
• Budget for both cases: fees flat, and fees up by around the ECI.
• Ask finance which discounts apply (siblings, early payment, employer schemes). Our UAE school fees survival guide covers how.

Related reading: new Dubai school rules for parents this October, choosing a school in the UAE and Dubai school holidays 2026-27, and school bus prices and rules in Dubai.

Dubai school fees 2027-28 FAQ

Will Dubai school fees go up in 2027-28?
It isn't known yet. Fees are frozen for 2026-27. For 2027-28, any increase depends on a government decision, the Education Cost Index and each school's inspection rating. Gulf News reports the decision is expected in April or May 2027.

How do KHDA inspections affect school fees in Dubai?
If an increase is allowed, a school's eligibility depends on its most recent rating. Schools that get a full QA1 inspection will be judged on their new rating. Schools that get a targeted QA2 visit keep their existing rating. A good rating alone doesn't guarantee a rise.

What is the ECI for Dubai schools?
The Education Cost Index reflects the cost of running a school, including wages, services and rent. It was 2.6% in 2024 and 2.35% for 2025-26. The figure for 2027-28 hasn't been calculated yet.

Can I pay Dubai school fees monthly?
Under KHDA's 2026 refund policy, schools collect tuition in three termly instalments, or can choose to offer 10 equal monthly instalments. Ask your school which it offers.

What is the KHDA refund policy if we leave a Dubai school mid-term?
If your child was enrolled for two weeks or less in the term, one month's fees are deducted. Between two weeks and a month, two months' fees. More than a month, the full term's fees. The date on your formal withdrawal request counts, not the last day your child attended.

Is the re-registration deposit refundable in Dubai?
Yes, if you formally tell the school at least 60 calendar days before the next school year starts. With less notice, it isn't refundable. The deposit can't be more than 5% of annual tuition or AED 500, whichever is higher.

Sources for this Dubai guide

• Gulf News, Will your Dubai school hike fees next year? How KHDA's 24-hour inspections and ratings come into play, Sajila Saseendran, 13 October 2026: gulfnews.com
• Dubai Media Office, Under Hamdan bin Mohammed's directives, KHDA confirms no fee increase for Dubai's private schools in 2026-2027 academic year, 22 May 2026: mediaoffice.ae
• Gulf News, Dubai freezes private school fees for 2026-27: gulfnews.com
• KHDA, Registration and Refund Policy for all Dubai Private Schools (2026): web.khda.gov.ae (PDF)
• ADEK, Fees Policy: adek.gov.ae (PDF)
• UAE Ministry of Education, academic calendar for the next three years (2027-28 starts 30 August 2027): moe.gov.ae

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