Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has officially launched the Dubai Students Council (DSC) for the 2025–26 academic year. Part of the Leaders of Tomorrow Game Changer initiative under the Education 33 (E33) strategy, this milestone initiative aims to amplify student voices and develop leadership skills across Dubai’s diverse private school population.
The new council is designed to ensure that students have a real say in shaping the future of education in the emirate. By involving students directly in decision-making, KHDA is reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, student-centred learning environments that reflect the evolving needs of the community.
Broad Representation Across Curricula and Cultures with the Dubai Students Council
The Dubai Students Council will include 15 students from Grade 9/Year 10 to Grade 12/Year 13, representing a cross-section of Dubai’s private education sector. These students will come from various cultural backgrounds and curriculum systems, including Emirati students, to ensure wide and equitable representation.
“The Education 33 strategy is built on the belief that students are not just participants in education – they are partners,” said Dr Amna Almaazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA. “The Dubai Students Council is a pioneering platform that gives students a voice and enables them to help shape the future of learning in the emirate by participating in decisions that impact their educational experience. It also instils the leadership, communication, and collaboration skills they need to thrive in life beyond school.”
“We encourage all eligible students, including Emiratis, to step forward and express their interest for the 2025–26 academic year. Your ideas and perspectives matter, and your voice can help shape and enrich the education journey of every learner in Dubai.”
How the Dubai Students Council Will Work
DSC members will serve as liaisons between KHDA and the broader student community, creating a platform for open communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. The council will play a key role in discussing current challenges in the education system, offering potential solutions, and contributing directly to improvements across Dubai’s private schools.
Each private school in Dubai has been invited to nominate one student who meets the DSC criteria. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong leadership qualities, excellent communication and teamwork skills, good conduct, and active involvement in school or community initiatives.
The KHDA will review applications and finalise the 15-member council ahead of the new academic year. Members will serve a one-year term, with the option to apply for a second year based on performance and eligibility.
Students interested in joining the council are encouraged to speak with their school leaders about the nomination process.
Part of Dubai’s Bold Education Vision
The launch of the Dubai Students Council falls under the wider Education 33 strategy, a bold 10-year vision for Dubai’s education sector, championed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
E33 places students at the centre of education reform, with a strong emphasis on individuality, inclusion, innovation, and excellence. The Game Changer initiatives, like the DSC, will be phased in over the coming decade to reimagine educational experiences, outcomes, and impact across all levels.
For more updates from the KHDA, go to their website:
Further Reading:
- Dubai’s KHDA‑guided 2025‑2026 Academic Calendar is Now Live
- KHDA Pauses Inspections for 2025–26 as Dubai Evolves Quality Assurance in Education