Dubai has unveiled plans to build 60 new affordable schools to serve 120,000 pupils by 2033 under a long-term strategy aimed at improving access to quality education.
The emirate will seek to encourage investors to establish lower-cost schools by offering discounts on government fees, including reduced land leasing costs, to support the major drive.
The scheme was approved on Tuesday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, while chairing the latest meeting of Dubai Executive Council.
The initiative is central to Dubai's ambitions to rank among the world's top 10 cities for quality of education under the Dubai Education Strategy 2033.
The focus on affordable education comes weeks after the head of Dubai's private education regulator emphasised the need to ease the financial burden placed on parents.
Addressing high fees
Aisha Miran, director general of Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority, underlined the authority's commitment to delivering “affordable prices” to families as schools embark on expansion drives fuelled by a sustained population boom.
Ms Miran said the emirate's executive council was working to address concerns over high fees.
“We noticed talks on social media about the high cost of schools,” said Ms Miran during a session at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum at Dubai World Trade Centre, in September.
“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.”
The KHDA said schools would commit to providing a good education at reasonable prices in exchange for a reduction in building and land rents.
Dubai tuition fees
Tuition fees vary widely but can often exceed Dh100,000 a year for high school pupils.
The fees can be found on each school's website. For example, at Kings' School Al Barsha in Dubai, Foundation Stage 1 is Dh57,999, while Year 13 is Dh105,873.
The Indian High School, in Oud Metha, Dubai, charges from Dh8,625 in Grade 5 to Dh13,815 in Grade 12, placing it in the affordable school bracket.
Striking a balance
The UAE is launching a number of premium schools to cater to a growing number of wealthy families setting up home in the Emirates.
Dubai-based Gems, which has owned and operated schools for more than six decades, announced the launch of Gems School of Research and Innovation (SRI) in Dubai Sports City in January.
The $100 million campus, which features an elevated football field doubling as a helipad, a 600-seat auditorium and an Olympic-size swimming pool, opened its doors in September for the 2025-26 academic year.
Fees at SRI range from Dh116,000 ($31,586) for pupils in Foundation Stage 1 to Dh206,000 in Year 12, making it the most expensive kindergarten to grade-12 educational institution in the country.
Dubai schools - in pictures
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Pupils in the garden at Dubai British School, which has been ranked as outstanding by the KHDA. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Victory Heights Primary School in Sports City has been steadily improving over the years. Pawan Singh / The National -
Founded in 2015, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park is one of the leading schools in the city. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Gems Wellington International School in Al Sufouh offers both the UK curriculum and the International Baccalaureate diploma programme. Lee Hoagland / The National -
The Dubai British School at Emirates Hills. Jeffrey E. Birteng / The National -
Jumeirah English Speaking School at Al Safa 1 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Pupils open their A-Level results at Gems Jumeirah College, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Nord Anglia International School Dubai. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai -
Dubai English Speaking School, one of the oldest in the country, established in 1963. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Repton School in Dubai, founded in 2007. Photo: Repton Dubai -
Gems Modern Academy at Nad Al Sheba 3 is the only Indian school rated outstanding in the city. Victor Besa/ The National. -
Deira International School is among those ranked as outstanding by Dubai's education authority. Photo: Deira International School -
Safa Community School is one of three schools added to the list of those recognised as outstanding by Dubai's education authority. Photo: Safa Community School -
Kings' School in Al Barsha also achieved the coveted outstanding grade. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Kings' School Dubai is among the most highly rated in the city. Photo: Kings' School Dubai -
Dubai International Academy in Al Barsha. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dubai International Academy in Emirates Hills is also on the list of outstanding schools. -
Pupils at Gems Dubai American Academy, the only American curriculum school to be ranked outstanding. Reem Mohammed/The National -
The Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou school, in Oud Metha, was another new name added to Dubai's most highly ranked schools. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dubai College in Al Sufouh, Dubai. Photo: Dubai College -
Football training at the Dubai English Speaking College in Academic City. Pawan Singh / The National -
Gems Jumeirah Primary School was also ranked among the outstanding schools in Dubai. -
Horizon English School and Horizon International School were also ranking high among Dubai schools.
The UK's renowned Harrow School is to launch in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next year.
Harrow International School Dubai will be constructed on a 50,000-square-metre plot of land on Hessa Street and will eventually serve up to 2,000 pupils.
It was announced in February that the Abu Dhabi branch would open in the middle of next year, with enrolment beginning in October.
The focus on affordable schools will aim to ensure the expanding education sector meets the needs of all sections of society.
Last year, Dubai unveiled its Education 33 Strategy, under which it aims to open at least 100 new private schools in the emirate by 2033.
Fifteen new private schools have been launched in the past two years, with the KHDA currently reviewing more than 20 applications for new schools to open over the next two years.
There are currently 227 private schools serving 387,441 pupils representing 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.
