Dubai private school enrolment up 4.6% for new academic year

Dubai's private schools saw 406,563 students enrolled for the 2026-27 academic year, marking an annual increase of 4.6 per cent, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Thursday.

Overall, 51 new private educational institutions have opened in Dubai over the past two academic years, with 26 opening this year. The new openings include 17 private early childhood centres (ECCs), seven schools, and two international higher education institutions.

The seven new schools added nearly 17,000 new seats, while the new ECCs added more than 1,700 seats to Dubai’s private education sector.

Eleven new higher education institutions have also opened over the past three years, alongside a 29 per cent increase in enrolment.

Speaking at the KHDA Media Majlis, Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, said raising the performance of schools with high concentrations of Emirati students is among its top priorities for 2026-27 academic year. 

Over the last three years, teams from the KHDA have helped 10 schools to "identify areas of improvement" and supported them to "drive change" and improve their school ranking.

Focus on strengthening cultural identity and Arabic language and enhancing student wellbeing and protection, is also on the agenda.

The KHDA will also look at empowering parents and expanding access to affordable education options. Around 18,000 "affordable seats" are expected to be added over the next two academic years, Miran added.

There will also be a target of attracting international higher education institutions and international students.

The priorities and latest developments were discussed during , which brought together KHDA leadership and media representatives to discuss Dubai’s education sector, implementation of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy, and key initiatives and policies planned for the next phase.