Dubai: KHDA reveals top private schools for 2023

More than three-quarters or 77 per cent of students in Dubai attend private schools rated ‘good or better’, according to inspection results released by the city’s education regulator Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The figures, which were released on Monday, show that 25 schools improved their performance from the previous inspection cycle during the 2018/19 academic year. The report shows that 39,795 students benefitted from the schools’ positive change.

KHDA inspected 199 schools in the latest round including six schools that were inspected for the first time. The education regulator rated 20 schools outstanding, 39 very good and 84 good.

“Private schools in Dubai are known for their commitment to quality and continuous improvement. This year’s results show that thousands more students have access to better quality teaching and learning, a sign of the dedication and expertise of teachers and school leaders,” said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director-general of KHDA.

“We are grateful to the whole education community for supporting our schools to be among the best in the world,” Al Karam added

The report revealed that Emirati pupils had benefited from the improvement in school ratings with 76 per cent of students (22,876) now attending a private school rated good or better, from 70 per cent in the 2018/19 academic year.

Inspection news: more than ¾ of students at Dubai private schools are receiving good or better education. Release of these results coincides with school re-enrolment deadlines for next academic year – see our website for individual school ratings: https://t.co/3KY0w4rd8n

— KHDA | هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية بدبي (@KHDA) April 3, 2023

The release of inspection results coincides with school re-enrolment deadlines for the next academic year, enabling parents to make informed and timely decisions about their children’s schooling.

Dubai’s commitment to quality education

Meanwhile, the latest inspection results come as parents in Dubai are making decisions about re-enrolling their children for the next academic year, which gives them the necessary information to make informed choices.

“We are pleased to see that schools in Dubai have continued their improvement journey. We will continue working with the school community and parents to ensure that all students benefit from the high standard of education offered by Dubai’s private schools,” said Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau.

Last month, KHDA said some private schools in Dubai can increase tuition fees up to 6 per cent in the 2023/24 academic year, citing operational costs and the economic situation in the city.

Read: Select private schools in Dubai can increase fees by 3% for new academic year

Tuition fees for Dubai’s private schools had been frozen for the past three academic years in a row. KHDA said schools that meet the following criteria can increase their fees:

• Schools that maintain their inspection ratings will be eligible to raise tuition fees by up to 3 per cent.
• Schools that improve their rating from “weak” to “acceptable” and from “acceptable” to “good” can increase fees by up to 6 per cent.
• Schools that move from “good” to “very good” can increase fees by 5.25 per cent.
• Schools that improve from “very good” to “outstanding” can apply a 4.5 per cent rise.

KHDA said enrolment at Dubai private schools surged by 4.5 per cent since the last academic year. The regulator said 22 new schools opened in Dubai over the past three years, bringing the number of private schools in the city to 216.

Read: 2022-23 academic year: Number of private schools in Dubai rises to 216

Dubai’s KHDA introduced annual school inspections in 2008 but the cycle was halted following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic three years. The regulator inspected 176 schools in 2019 including 11 for the first time.