Dubai’s education regulator has closed three schools at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year due to their failure to meet quality standards. This decision underscores the priority placed on student welfare, as emphasized by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) during a recent ‘Meet the CEO’ event organized by the Government of Dubai Media Office.
KHDA Inspections and Ratings
The KHDA conducts annual inspections of Dubai schools, rating them from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Weak’ based on specific criteria linked to fee adjustments. However, private schools will not undergo full inspections during the 2024-25 academic year, except for new schools entering their third year of operation. Schools can request a full inspection from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), subject to KHDA’s approval.
Preparations for the New Academic Year
During the recent event, KHDA Director General Aisha Miran highlighted that preparations for the current academic year began in January. The authority engaged over 700 individuals and 290 educational institutions to gather feedback, aiming to create an effective educational model that meets community needs.
Growth in Dubai’s Education Sector
Miran emphasized three key factors for Dubai’s education sector: diversity, flexibility, and high quality. Currently, Dubai has 223 private schools serving over 365,000 students and offering 17 different curricula. The sector continues to expand, with six new schools opening this academic year.
Early Childhood and Higher Education
In addition to schools, Dubai has 285 early childhood centers and plans to open 29 new centers, including the first to offer a Chinese curriculum. The emirate also hosts 38 licensed higher education institutions, accommodating nearly 35,000 students and providing over 650 academic programs.The KHDA remains committed to enhancing the quality of education in Dubai, focusing on growth and supporting the Dubai Social Agenda and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.