School inspections in Dubai have been paused for the 2024-25 academic year, but the decision was made to improve the teaching and learning experience in the emirate’s schools. The clarification came from an official at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), reassuring that this halt is temporary. Despite the pause in inspections, schools will still undergo additional visits focusing on specific areas to monitor their progress on improvement plans.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), addressed concerns about potential uniform fee increases for the 2025-26 academic year. Any fee adjustments by schools must be approved by the KHDA, and schools will be notified in case of any changes to the fee framework. The School Fees Framework allows schools to adjust their fees annually based on their most recent inspection rating.
The KHDA announced an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.6 per cent in April 2024, allowing private schools in Dubai to raise tuition fees by up to 5.2 per cent for the 2024-25 academic year. Schools in the emirate typically undergo yearly inspections and receive new ratings, except during the pandemic when conducting them became challenging. Focus areas will be targeted in the upcoming academic year to monitor schools’ progress on improvement plans.
While full inspections have been paused, the DSIB will conduct additional visits focusing on specific areas to support schools in implementing changes for their development and improvement plans. Schools that wish to undergo a full inspection can submit a request to the inspection team, subject to review and approval. The request should include strategic plans and future goals identified by the institutions.
Schools in Dubai also fill out self-evaluation forms (SEF) to reflect on their impact and capabilities, identifying areas for improvement. The SEF is an essential part of schools’ ongoing review and improvement planning, helping them measure their performance based on the UAE School Inspection Framework. Inspectors will conduct quality assurance visits targeting specific focus areas to monitor schools’ progress on improvement plans during the next academic year.
