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28 March 2024

Dubai schools allowed to hike fees by up to 5.84%

Some education groups will have different timings that will vary with each school. (Ashok Verma)

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Schoo tuition fees for the new academic year 2015-16 is set to increase in Dubai.

According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai schools will be allowed to increase tuition fees by up to 5.84 per cent.

The calculation is based on the school's annual inspection report and the Education Cost Index (ECI).

ECI, which is calculated by Dubai Statistics Centre on an annual basis, is affected by several factors including consumer price index and school operation costs, including remuneration, rent and utilities. This year it stands at 2.92 per cent.

Schools will be permitted to accommodate cost adjustments for the academic year 2015-16.

According to the KHDA’s Fee Framework, outstanding schools are eligible for a raise of up to double the ECI (5.84 per cent), good schools are eligible for up to 1.5 times the ECI (4.38 per cent) and the rest will be granted the ECI rate (2.92 per cent).

“The fees framework balances the needs of schools and parents,” explained Mohammed Darwish, Chief of Regulations and Permits Commission at KHDA.

“We are witnessing steady growth within the education sector, leading to increased stability. The ECI is directly linked to inflation and an increased cost in living.”

Following the announcement of DSIB’s annual ratings, schools will be allowed to apply to KHDA’s Regulations and Permits Commission for fee-hike approval.

The fee framework, which has been applied for the past four years, has been developed in line with the strategic goals of KHDA and is connected with Dubai School Inspection Bureau’s quality indicators.