New fee framework to benefit Dubai parents

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

Dubai: A new school fee framework is all set to make education more affordable by limiting school fee increase across Dubai’s private schools.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and director general of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said, “The fees framework takes into account the cost of living and financial expectations of families in Dubai. These measures will ensure almost 90 per cent of all students enrolled in Dubai’s private schools will no longer face fee increases above the set Education Cost Index (ECI).” According to KHDA estimates, average fee increase will be lowered by 35% in comparison to the provisions allowed under the previous fee framework.

As part of the new framework, only schools improving in the annual school inspection ratings by Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) will be eligible for fee increases above the set Education Cost Index.

This year’s Education Cost Index has been set at 2.07 per cent by Dubai Statistics Centre.

Schools improving their rating from ‘weak’ or ‘acceptable’ will be eligible to increase their fees by double the ECI. Schools improving their rating from ‘Very Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ will be eligible for a 1.5 times the ECI as schools moving from ‘Good’ to ‘Very Good’ will benefit from 1.75 times the ECI.

Private schools that have maintained the same school inspection ratings will only be allowed to increase their fees line in line with the annual ECI. Schools dropping in the annual ratings will no longer be allowed to increase fees.

Over the last seven years, 76 new schools have opened in Dubai and more than 80,000 new students have enrolled, marking a 40 per cent increase in the number of students attending private schools.

Dr Abdulla added, “Our earlier fee framework encouraged investors and schools owners to create capacity in Dubai’s private education sector by offering new school seats and balancing the supply-demand gap. Moving forward, the new framework reflects our commitment to create a more robust and reliable private education sector that emphasises affordability, quality of education and more choices.” Dr Abdulla added, “We have consulted parents, schools, and the wider community in our effort to balance the expectations of all stakeholders and develop a comprehensive framework that recognises schools making an effort to improve their education offering.”