Latest news with #ShammaAlMansouri
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: KHDA allows private schools to raise fees for next academic year
Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) approved, on Friday, an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 per cent for for-profit private schools in the emirate for academic year 2025-2026. The decision is based on the annual review of audited financial statements submitted by Dubai private schools, in collaboration with the Digital Dubai Authority. KHDA, Dubai's education regulator, noted 'the ECI takes into account the operational costs of running a school to offer a high quality of education, including staff wages, support services, and rental expenses.' In Dubai, for-profit schools can increase their fees based on their individual school grade as per the results of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB), and the ECI which is calculated on a regular basis. Any fee increase can only be implemented for a particular academic year and cannot be carried forward to the upcoming academic years. The ECI is based on the annual audited financial statements of private schools in Dubai, which outline the operational cost of running a private school to offer a high-quality education. The ECI used for the current school year (2024-2025) was 2.6 per cent. Transparent methodology 'The ECI for fee adjustments is based on a robust and transparent methodology that supports schools in Dubai to manage their resources while maintaining a high quality of education in line with the needs of students and parents,' noted Shamma Al Mansouri, director of licensing and education services at KHDA. 'This sustainable approach to regulating school fees reflects Dubai Government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in the education sector. It ensures that Dubai remains a leading destination for high quality education in line with the goals of the Education 33 Strategy,' she added. KHDA said they have informed all private schools in Dubai about the requirements for submitting fee adjustment requests for the next academic year. 'Eligible for-profit schools may apply for an increase up to, but not exceeding, the approved ECI. Private schools that have been operating in Dubai for less than three years are not eligible for a fee adjustment. All applications will be reviewed by KHDA to ensure they meet the criteria for fee increases,' KHDA underscored. Dubai currently has 227 private schools serving 387,441 students from 185 nationalities. The sector recorded an unprecedented 12 per cent increase in student enrollment in the 2023-24 academic year. According to KHDA, enrollment grew by a further 6 per cent during the 2024-25 academic year. Fifteen new private schools have opened in Dubai in the last two academic years, and KHDA is currently reviewing more than 20 applications for new schools set to open in the next two years. The opening of new schools and steady enrolment growth in Dubai's private education sector support the objectives of the Education Strategy 33, which aims to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033.
Hi Dubai
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Approves 2.35% Education Cost Index for Private School Fee Adjustments
Dubai's private schools may raise tuition fees by up to 2.35% in the 2025–26 academic year, following the approval of the Education Cost Index (ECI) by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The ECI, determined through an annual review of audited financial statements in collaboration with the Digital Dubai Authority, reflects rising operational costs including staff salaries, support services, and rent. KHDA stated that the index is designed to help schools maintain high educational standards while managing resources efficiently. Only for-profit schools that have operated in Dubai for more than three years are eligible to apply for fee adjustments, and any increases must not exceed the 2.35% cap. Each application will be reviewed to ensure compliance with KHDA's criteria. Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Education Services at KHDA, said the ECI is part of a transparent and sustainable approach that aligns with Dubai's Education 33 Strategy. 'It supports schools in managing resources while meeting the expectations of students and parents,' she added. Dubai's private education sector continues to expand rapidly, with 15 new schools opening over the past two academic years and more than 20 applications currently under review. The emirate now has 227 private schools serving over 387,000 students from 185 nationalities. Student enrolment rose 12% in 2023–24 and a further 6% in 2024–25, reinforcing the emirate's position as a regional hub for quality education. The Education Strategy 33 aims to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033 to meet growing demand. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Gulf News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
Education Cost Index set at 2.35% for Dubai's for-profit private schools in 2025-26 academic year
Dubai: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has approved an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35% for for-profit private schools in Dubai for the 2025–26 academic year. The ECI is based on the annual review of audited financial statements submitted by private schools in collaboration with the Digital Dubai Authority. It reflects the operational costs of running a school — such as staff salaries, support services, and rental expenses — while ensuring the delivery of high-quality education. KHDA has notified all private schools in the emirate of the requirements for submitting fee adjustment requests for the upcoming academic year. Applications to be reviewed Eligible for-profit schools may apply for a fee increase up to, but not exceeding, the approved ECI. Private schools operating in Dubai for less than three years are not eligible to apply. Each application will be reviewed by KHDA to ensure it aligns with established criteria. Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Education Services at KHDA, said: 'The Education Cost Index for fee adjustments is based on a robust and transparent methodology that supports schools in managing their resources while maintaining educational excellence aligned with the needs of students and parents.' She added that the approach reflects the Dubai Government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in education and supports the goals of the Education 33 Strategy, which aims to enhance Dubai's position as a global hub for quality education. New schools In the past two academic years, 15 new private schools have opened in Dubai. KHDA is currently reviewing over 20 applications for new schools scheduled to open within the next two years, offering families wide range of choices. Dubai now has 227 private schools, educating 387,441 students from 185 nationalities. The sector saw a record 12% increase in enrolment in 2023–24, followed by a further 6% growth in 2024–25, aligning with the Education Strategy 33's goal of opening 100 new schools by 2033.
The National
02-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Private schools in Dubai can raise tuition fees for new academic year
Private schools in Dubai will be allowed to increase tuition fees by up to 2.35 per cent in the 2025-2026 academic year, the emirate's private education regulator said. The announcement was made by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the Dubai Government Media Office said on Friday evening. Private schools have been notified about the decision, which was based on an education cost index issued by the KHDA. It took into account "the operational costs of running a school to offer a high quality of education, including staff wages, support services and rental expenses". Schools that have been operating for less than three years are not eligible for a fee adjustment. All applications will be reviewed by the KHDA. 'The education cost index for fee adjustments is based on a robust and transparent methodology that supports schools in Dubai to manage their resources while maintaining a high quality of education, in line with the needs of students and parents," said Shamma Al Mansouri, director of licensing and education services at the KHDA. 'This sustainable approach to regulating school fees reflects the Dubai Government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in the education sector. It ensures that Dubai remains a leading destination for high quality education in line with the goals of the Education 33 Strategy.' The initiative was launched with the aim of opening at least 100 new private schools in the emirate by 2033. Fifteen new private schools were launched in the past two years, with the KHDA currently reviewing more than 20 applications from new schools to open over the next two years, the media office added. There are currently 227 private schools serving 387,441 pupils from 185 nationalities. There was a 12 per cent increase in pupil enrolment in the 2023-2024 academic year, with a further 6 per cent rise the following year.
Arabian Business
02-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai approves 2025-2026 private school fee hikes
Dubai will allow private schools to hike fees by up to 2.35 per cent next year, said the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The KHDA approved an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 percent for profit private schools in the emirate for the 2025-26 academic year. The decision is based on the annual review of audited financial statements submitted by Dubai private schools, in collaboration with the Digital Dubai Authority. Dubai school fees 2025-2026 The ECI takes into account the operational costs of running a school to offer a high quality of education, including staff wages, support services, and rental expenses. KHDA has informed all private schools in Dubai about the requirements for submitting fee adjustment requests for the next academic year. Eligible for-profit schools may apply for an increase up to, but not exceeding, the approved ECI. Private schools that have been operating in Dubai for less than three years are not eligible for a fee adjustment. All applications will be reviewed by KHDA to ensure they meet the criteria for fee increases. Shamma Al Mansouri, Director of Licensing and Education Services at KHDA, said: 'The Education Cost Index for fee adjustments is based on a robust and transparent methodology that supports schools in Dubai to manage their resources while maintaining a high quality of education in line with the needs of students and parents. 'This sustainable approach to regulating school fees reflects Dubai Government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in the education sector. It ensures that Dubai remains a leading destination for high quality education in line with the goals of the Education 33 Strategy.' Fifteen new private schools have opened in Dubai in the last two academic years, and KHDA is currently reviewing more than 20 applications for new schools set to open in the next two years, offering parents in Dubai a wider range of choices. Dubai currently has 227 private schools serving 387,441 students from 185 nationalities. The sector recorded an unprecedented 12 per cent increase in student enrolment in the 2023-24 academic year. Enrolment grew by a further 6 per cent during the 2024-25 academic year. The opening of new schools and steady enrolment growth in Dubai's private education sector support the objectives of the Education Strategy 33, which aims to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033.
