Hey Raha blog · Dubai school life

New Dubai School Rules Parents Need to Know (October 2026)

By Marie Adly · 7 October 2026

In October 2026, KHDA said Dubai private schools can change their start and finish times, but only with KHDA approval, with pupil wellbeing first and with parents' views taken into account. Many Dubai and Sharjah schools now ask parents not to photograph or film other pupils or staff, tuition fees are frozen for 2026-27, and the KG and Grade 1 age cut-off is now 31 December. Your own school's circulars explain how each rule applies to your family.

Last updated: 7 October 2026

If your inbox looks anything like mine this term, you've probably skimmed past at least one school circular that actually mattered. October has brought a run of updates for Dubai families, some from KHDA and some from individual schools, and they affect everyday life: when the school run starts, what you can post in the class WhatsApp group, and what you pay.

I'm a working mum in Dubai, so here's the plain-language version. One thing applies to all of it: your own school's circulars always have the final word on how a rule works at your school.

1. Your school's start and finish times could change

On 1 October, KHDA Director General Aisha Miran said Dubai schools can change their start and finish times to help ease traffic. There's no single timetable for the whole emirate. Schools can ask for flexibility, but only under conditions:

• KHDA has to approve any change to school timings first.
• Pupil wellbeing comes first. Schools need to show the change is good for children.
• Parents need to be on board. Schools are expected to consider parents' feedback, and reports say they should consult families before applying.

Some Dubai schools already use staggered start times to spread out drop-off traffic. Ms Miran also said that in the past, when schools changed timings and parents complained, KHDA stepped in and the schools had to revise their timetables. So your voice really does count here.

She was also clear that school hours alone won't fix commuting. The longer-term answer is the Dubai Education Masterplan (E33), which aims to have more children walking, cycling or using safe scooters to school, with everyday places ideally within a 20-minute journey.

What to do: If your school sends a survey about new timings, fill it in. Think through what an earlier or later day would mean for your work hours, your helper's schedule, the bus and after-school activities. Ask about Ramadan too, when the hours change again: see our guide to Ramadan school timings in Dubai.

New timings and photo rules usually arrive by school email. Hey Raha reads your school emails and sends you and your helper one clear daily WhatsApp plan. Try Hey Raha free for 14 days.

2. Think twice before you photograph at the school gate

Several Dubai and Sharjah schools sent circulars in early October asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film other pupils or staff without consent. That covers drop-off and pick-up areas, corridors, classrooms, playgrounds and assemblies. Parents are also being asked not to share photos or videos of other children on social media or in WhatsApp groups.

Some schools are stricter than others. The International School of Choueifat – Sharjah says photos and videos are not allowed at all on normal school days. At official events where parents are invited, you can only film your own child. It has also asked parents to delete older posts that show other pupils. Other schools say they will give clear guidance for specific events and keep their usual consent process for official school photos.

The reason is privacy. Under UAE law, a child's image counts as personal data. The main data protection law is Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021, and consent is usually needed to use that data. A photo that seems harmless in a class group can be forwarded far beyond it.

What to do: At concerts and sports days, keep the camera on your own child. Before you post in the class chat, crop out other children or ask their parents first.

3. No homework for the youngest pupils (in some schools)

This one comes with a big caveat. For 2026–27, the UAE Ministry of Education has stopped traditional homework for children from kindergarten to Grade 2 in public schools. Gulf News reports this also covers private schools run by the Ministry. Instead, families are asked to keep up a simple daily reading routine, which gives young children more time for rest, play and family. (Starting KG this year? Our KG packing checklist for Dubai covers the day-to-day.)

This is not a KHDA rule for Dubai private schools. Most Dubai private schools set their own homework policies, so your child may still bring some home. If you're unsure, check your school's homework policy or ask the class teacher.

4. School fees: frozen this year, linked to inspections next year

The good news first: Dubai private school tuition fees are frozen for 2026–27, so this year's fees shouldn't go up.

Looking further ahead, KHDA has said that any future fee increase will depend on a school's most recent inspection rating, even if that rating is up to two years old. The maximum increase is set by the Education Cost Index (ECI), which is usually calculated in April. KHDA has said it doesn't yet know whether fees will rise, and expects the ECI by April 2027.

What to do: Keep an eye on your school's rating and on KHDA news around April before you budget for next year.

5. What KHDA says about application fees, deposits and refunds

KHDA's Registration and Refund Policy for Dubai private schools sets clear limits. It's worth saving these:

• Application fee: AED 500 maximum. You get it back if your child isn't offered a place after assessment, or if the school didn't tell you before you paid that there was no place or a waiting list. You don't get it back if you're offered a place and turn it down.
• Registration deposit: no more than 10% of annual tuition. A school can only ask for it after making a formal offer that you've accepted, and it comes off your tuition. It's not an extra charge.
• 60-day rule: Give written notice at least 60 calendar days before your child's start date to get the deposit back in full.
• 10-day rule: If a KHDA-approved fee increase is announced after you've paid, you have 10 calendar days to withdraw and get a full refund of the relevant deposits or fees.

Refunds are based on the date the school receives your written withdrawal request, not your child's last day, so put everything in writing.

6. The KG and Grade 1 age cut-off is now 31 December

For schools that start in August or September, children now need to reach the required age by 31 December of the year they start. That means age 4 for KG1/FS2 and age 6 for Grade 1/Year 2. April-start schools still use 31 March.

The change only applies to children registering in the KHDA system for the first time in 2026–27. Children already at a Dubai school or nursery, and children moving between Dubai schools, aren't affected. KHDA calls 2026–27 a transition year with some one-off flexibility, and from 2027–28 every new registration follows the new cut-off.

How to keep up without drowning in school emails

Every rule above reached parents through a school email, circular or app message, usually in the middle of a working day. Keeping track of timing changes, event photo rules and fee deadlines on top of PE kits and spirit days is a lot, and most of it has to reach your helper too. Three things that help: our 2026-27 Dubai term dates and holidays in one place, a simple way to brief your nanny or helper on the school week, and a monthly round-up of what's happening in Dubai schools.

Sources

• UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data
• The National: Dubai schools allowed to change start and finish times to ease traffic congestion (1 Oct 2026)
• Gulf News: KHDA to allow Dubai schools to change timings to ease traffic, under conditions (1 Oct 2026)
• Khaleej Times: Dubai school timing changes must put student wellbeing first, says KHDA (1 Oct 2026)
• Khaleej Times: Dubai schools tighten photography rules as parents told not to capture other students
• Gulf News: UAE schools ban parents from taking photos and sharing them on WhatsApp, social media
• The National: Dubai schools tighten photo and video rules to protect pupil privacy (5 Oct 2026)
• The National: No homework for young pupils: shake-up to UAE public schools (26 Aug 2026)
• Gulf News: No homework and less screen time in UAE classrooms
• Khaleej Times: KHDA inspections return: what it means for Dubai school fees
• Khaleej Times: KHDA freezes 2026–27 tuition fees
• Gulf News: Dubai school fees explained: KHDA rules on deposits, refunds and charges
• Lexis Middle East: KHDA Registration and Refund Policy for all Dubai Private Schools (issued 1 Mar 2026)
• Khaleej Times: Dubai school admissions: KHDA guide explains new age cut-off rules (3 Aug 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Can my child's Dubai school change its start time without asking parents?
KHDA has to approve any timing change first, and schools must show the change supports pupil wellbeing and take parents' feedback into account.

Am I allowed to take photos at my child's school assembly?
That depends on your school. Many Dubai and Sharjah schools now ask parents not to capture other pupils or staff without consent, and some only allow photos at invited events, of your own child only. Check your school's latest circular.

Is homework banned for KG children in Dubai?
Not across the board. The Ministry of Education stopped homework for KG to Grade 2 in public schools (and, according to Gulf News, Ministry-run private schools) for 2026–27. Dubai private schools regulated by KHDA set their own homework policies.

Will Dubai school fees go up next year?
Fees are frozen for 2026–27. Any future increase will be linked to a school's latest inspection rating and capped by the ECI, which KHDA expects by April 2027.

What is the maximum application fee a Dubai private school can charge?
AED 500, under KHDA's Registration and Refund Policy. Registration deposits are capped at 10% of annual tuition.

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