Sheikh Hamdan announces big Dubai school fee relief: Private school fee freeze for 2026

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Dubai private school fees will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 academic year following directives issued by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.

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DUBAI: Dubai private school fees will not increase during the 2026-27 academic year after directives issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The decision was confirmed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority as part of broader measures aimed at supporting families and strengthening the emirate’s education sector.

The announcement follows the approval of Dubai’s second economic incentives package valued at AED1.5 billion, bringing the total value of recently introduced support initiatives to AED2.5 billion. The package includes 33 measures designed to ease financial pressures on businesses and institutions across the emirate over the coming months.

Under the initiative, private educational institutions licensed by KHDA will benefit from deferred licence renewal fees, instalment payment options and postponed fines. Early childhood centres will also receive exemptions covering licence renewal fees, penalties and Dubai Municipality market fees.

Dubai private school fees support measures also include incentives introduced by the Knowledge Fund Establishment. Early childhood centres will receive partial rent exemptions and extended rent-free periods for facilities under construction. Educational institutions will additionally benefit from support linked to insurance guarantees, contractual penalties, rent freezes and deferred rental payments.

KHDA said the move reflects Dubai’s commitment to maintaining the stability and sustainable growth of the private education sector while balancing the interests of schools, education providers and families. Officials noted that more than 95 per cent of students continue attending in-person learning, highlighting the sector’s operational resilience and ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Dubai’s private education sector currently offers 17 international curricula across schools serving families from different nationalities and income groups. Approximately 9,000 new affordable school places were introduced during the current academic year, with another 7,500 affordable seats expected over the next two years.

KHDA also confirmed that student enrolment across Dubai’s private schools increased by six per cent during 2025, reflecting continued confidence in the emirate’s education system and long-term growth plans under Dubai Education 33 Strategy.

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