Private schools in Dubai have recently received news that full inspections will not take place during the 2024-25 academic year, with the exception of new schools entering their third year of operation. This decision was communicated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) through a circular sent to Dubai schools. The circular specifies that schools can submit a request for a full inspection to the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), which will be subject to review and approval by the KHDA. The deadline for submitting requests is July 5, 2024, and schools with approved requests will be notified during Term 2 of the academic year.
The annual inspections and ratings based on a specific set of criteria have been a standard practice for Dubai schools, except during the pandemic when inspections were put on hold. While full inspections will not be conducted, ongoing monitoring and targeted visits by the DSIB will continue throughout the next academic year. Schools will be informed in advance of the focus areas and priorities for the upcoming year, and they are required to update the ‘Self-Evaluation Form’ and the online school profile regularly. Despite the pause in full inspections for the 2024-25 academic year, there is no official confirmation regarding inspections for the following academic year yet.
The determination of school fees in Dubai is closely linked to the inspection ratings issued by the DSIB. Schools with higher ratings typically have more flexibility in implementing fee increases. For the upcoming 2024-25 academic year, private schools were authorized to raise tuition fees by a maximum of 5.2 percent based on their latest inspection results. However, since new inspection ratings for the academic year have not been released yet, the method for determining and regulating fee increases remains uncertain.
The recent announcement of the pause in inspections for the 2024-25 academic year follows the release of the 2023-24 inspection reports, which showcased improvements in many schools across Dubai. The reports revealed that 23 schools were rated as ‘Outstanding’, 48 as ‘Very Good’, 85 as ‘Good’, and 51 as ‘Acceptable’, while two schools received a rating of ‘Weak’. During the academic year 2023-24, the KHDA inspected a total of 209 private schools in Dubai, with ratings improving for 26 schools and declining for three schools.
The majority of students in Dubai schools receive education rated Good or higher, and a high percentage of schools offer well-being provisions rated Good or higher. Some schools that received an ‘Outstanding’ rating include Dubai College, Jumeirah College, Gems Modern Academy, Kings School Dubai, and Dubai International Academy (DIA), among others. Schools rated ‘Very Good’ include Gems Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Gems World Academy Dubai, and Sunmarke School Dubai. ‘Good’ rated schools include The Aquila School, Mirdif American School, Al Salam Private School, and Sheffield Private School Dubai.
Overall, the decision to pause full inspections for the upcoming academic year in Dubai has been welcomed by school leaders, as it provides a temporary relief from the challenges associated with annual inspections. While the exact impact on fee increases remains uncertain, schools are advised to stay informed and ensure compliance with the regulations set forth by the KHDA. Ongoing monitoring and targeted visits will continue to support the improvement and development of Dubai schools throughout the 2024-25 academic year.
