Dubai has announced plans to construct 60 new affordable schools to accommodate 120,000 pupils by 2033, as part of a wide-ranging strategy to improve access to quality education across the emirate. The move forms a key component of the Dubai Education Strategy 2033, which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top ten cities for quality of education. The strategy was approved on Tuesday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, during a meeting of the Dubai Executive Council.
Under the initiative, investors will be encouraged to establish lower-cost schools through government-backed incentives, including discounts on fees and reduced land leasing costs.
Addressing High Tuition Fees
The renewed focus on affordability follows comments from Aisha Miran, Director General of Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), who recently highlighted the need to ease the financial pressures faced by families.
Ms Miran underlined the authority’s commitment to delivering “affordable prices” for parents as Dubai continues to experience rapid population growth and school expansion. Ms Miran, during a session at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum at Dubai World Trade Centre, in September, said:
“We noticed talks on social media about the high cost of schools. I received a message from a foreigner saying the cost of her children’s education was Dh1 million [$270,000] in Dubai. We are focusing on providing good education with affordable prices for families.”
According to the KHDA, schools will commit to maintaining quality education at reasonable prices in exchange for reductions in land and building rent costs.
Tuition Fees Across Dubai
Tuition fees vary significantly across the city. At Kings’ School Al Barsha, Foundation Stage 1 costs Dh57,999, while Year 13 fees reach Dh105,873.
By comparison, The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai, charges from Dh8,625 in Grade 5 to Dh13,815 in Grade 12, placing it firmly within the affordable school bracket.
Expanding Options for Families
While efforts are underway to boost affordable education, Dubai continues to attract premium school operators catering to affluent families.
In January, Dubai-based Gems announced the launch of the Gems School of Research and Innovation (SRI) in Dubai Sports City. The $100 million campus opened in September for the 2025-26 academic year and features an elevated football field that doubles as a helipad, a 600-seat auditorium, and an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Fees at SRI range from Dh116,000 ($31,586) for Foundation Stage 1 to Dh206,000 in Year 12, making it the most expensive kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school in the UAE.
Meanwhile, the UK’s renowned Harrow School will open campuses in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Harrow International School Dubai, set on a 50,000-square-metre plot on Hessa Street, will eventually serve up to 2,000 pupils.
It was announced in February that the Abu Dhabi branch would open in mid-2026, with enrolment beginning in October.
Supporting All Segments of Society
The emphasis on affordable education ensures Dubai’s growing school sector continues to serve all sections of society. Last year, the emirate unveiled its Education 33 Strategy, under which it aims to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033.
Fifteen new private schools have been launched in the past two years, with the KHDA currently reviewing over 20 additional applications. Dubai currently has 227 private schools serving 387,441 pupils of 185 nationalities. Pupil enrolment increased by 12 per cent during the 2023–2024 academic year and by a further 6 per cent the following year.
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Further Reading:
- Dubai’s KHDA‑guided 2025‑2026 Academic Calendar is Now Live
- KHDA Unveils Dubai Students Council for 2025–26 to Elevate Student Leadership
- KHDA Pauses Inspections for 2025–26 as Dubai Evolves Quality Assurance in Education