KHDA inspection pause: What it means for your child’s education (and Dubai school fees!). KHDA official comment. EXCLUSIVE

In a surprise twist, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has decided to pause school inspections for the 2024/25 academic year. Read our original story on this HERE.

This decision has left schools, parents and commentators wondering how school fee increases can be calculated, with no annual inspection being completed – the usual grounds on which the KHDA decides if fees can rise at all. Many are now speculating on the future of tuition costs in Dubai. Will school fees have to remain static, or are there other changes on the horizon?

KHDA Inspections and School Fees

Private schools in Dubai are inspected and regulated by the KHDA, which usually conducts annual inspections to ensure educational standards are met and maintained. The rate at which schools can adjust their fees is directly linked to the outcome of these inspections. Schools are rated on a scale ranging from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Weak’, and any fee adjustments must receive KHDA approval. Higher-rated schools have traditionally been allowed to implement larger fee increases based on their inspection ratings.

In early April 2024, the KHDA announced an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.6 percent, allowing schools to raise tuition fees by up to 5.2 percent for the 2024-25 academic year.

However, with the decision to pause inspections, many parents and school leaders are questioning how this will affect tuition fees for the upcoming year.

Dubai School Fees: The Latest from the KHDA

With the cost of living a key issue for families across Dubai, SchoolsCompared.com were keen to gain clarity on this topic. With our readers in mind, we reached out to Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau and asked the all important questions about future school fees!

SchoolsCompared.com: Is the KHDA considering permanently moving school inspections to a two-yearly cycle, or longer? If so, what is the thought process behind this – and how will it help parents?

“The decision for schools to not undergo full inspections applies only for the 2024-25 academic year. This decision aims to support the teaching and learning process for students and gives schools the opportunity to implement changes to support their development and improvement plans.

“The KHDA will continue to monitor the quality of education, and inspectors will conduct quality assurance visits that target specific focus areas to monitor schools’ progress on improvement plans during the next academic year.

“Any update to future inspection cycles will be announced next year.”  Fatma Belrehif, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau

Fatma Belrehif, CEO of the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau

Schoolscompared.com: Eligibility for school fee increases has traditionally been linked to school inspection outcomes. Without the annual inspection, does this mean school fees will be frozen in the interim? Or are you working on a new structure for determining school fee increases?

“The School Fees Framework is the mechanism by which schools can adjust their fees annually. The rate by which schools can adjust their fees is tied to each school’s most recent inspection rating.

“Any fee adjustment by schools must be approved by KHDA. Schools will be notified in case of any changes or updates to the fee framework.”  Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau

Our view? The Implications for Parents and Schools

While the KHDA’s responses provide some insight, there remains a degree of ambiguity around how school fees will be managed in the absence of the usual inspection process. It is unclear whether schools will be allowed to increase fees based on their 2023/24 ratings or if a new structure will be introduced. This uncertainty leaves open the question of whether fees will be frozen or adjusted through a yet-to-be-announced framework.

School fees are one of many important factors to consider when choosing a school

This uncertainty comes at a time when Dubai is grappling with a broader cost of living crisis, and school fees represent a significant financial commitment for most families. As we await further announcements from the KHDA, it’s crucial for parents to stay informed and prepared for any potential changes that may impact their budgeting and financial planning for the next academic year.

Our best guess is that when the decision is made, we can expect to KHDA to balance the interests of schools and parents. Schools require fee increases to ensure that they can award at least inflation-linked pay rises to their teaching faculty and cover the increased costs of all the many things that go into running a school. The majority of parents, conversely, want or need fee increases kept to a minimum in the face of rising cost pressures elsewhere. The KHDA have a tough decision to make each year – but historically they have juggled these competing interests extremely well, winning praise from both sides for their fairness and compassion.

Dubai School News: Stay Tuned for Updates

We understand the critical importance of this issue for families across Dubai and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Please stay tuned for further updates and guidance as we receive more information from the KHDA and other relevant authorities.

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