Enrolment in Dubai's private schools has crossed 406,000 students, underlining how fast the emirate's private education sector continues to expand. According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), 51 new private educational institutions have opened in Dubai over the past two academic years, with seven new schools launching for the current year alone, adding roughly 17,000 new places.
The growth comes as families increasingly weigh affordability when choosing a school. KHDA Director General Aisha Miran said affordability is taken into consideration when new schools are approved, alongside a requirement that each institution genuinely serves the community it is located in.
Leaders of Dubai's largest school operators echoed the point. Taaleem CEO Alan Williamson said that while affordability matters, parents rarely look at price in isolation. GEMS Education Group CEO Dino Varkey said what parents are really looking for is not simply the lowest fee, but the best possible education within their budget. Noufal Ahamed of Woodlem Education added that affordable education does not mean compromising on quality — it means making quality education accessible.
The figures confirm Dubai's position as one of the top destinations for expatriate families enrolling children in international schools, with operators continuing to compete on a wide range of fee structures to attract students across income brackets.