The Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has authorized an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 percent for for-profit private schools for the 2025–2026 academic year, marking the ceiling for prospective tuition increases for the coming academic year.
This is the KHDA decision that releases the audited financial statements of private schools done previously in partnership with the Digital Dubai Authority. Educational school fee increases are school-controlled, based on the operational cost changes within the sector, thus reflecting some portions of data-driven governance.
The 2.35% index is the maximum limit that eligible private schools in Dubai can increase tuition fees with. This is the increase scale, but tiered on a meritocratic system and performance satellites as per KHDA command prerequisites. Schools rated ‘Outstanding’ are given more flexible provisions to raise fees by a multiple of the ECI, whilst others will be bound by stricter limits.
As in other sectors regulating the functioning of private schools in Dubai, this step is intended to encourage competition in the market while balancing the need to maintain tuition levels to ensure good quality education at the same time.
KHDA is emphasizing these measures while private schools are under an obligation to ensure good quality education, increased competition will help to moderate these expectations without over-expectation, thus creating costs for parents.
With the strengthen of education in Dubai, and diversification external funding becomes more dependable, KHDA aims to institutionalize initiatives where ECI becomes subject under controlling elasticity.
