Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) shut down three schools last year after they failed to meet educational standards in the emirate.
The KHDA is committed to ensuring that schools and educational institutions deliver the highest quality of education, in line with the leadership’s vision for Dubai to become a global leader in education and learning, according to Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA.
Aisha Miran emphasised the Authority’s commitment to providing top-quality education in Dubai’s private schools.
She highlighted ongoing efforts, such as the annual school inspections, to uphold educational standards. She noted that three schools were closed at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year for falling short of quality benchmarks, underscoring that student welfare remains a top priority.
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Aisha Miran noted that preparations for the current academic year had commenced in January with the Authority actively seeking inputs from all stakeholders in the education sector.
She emphasised three key factors underline the success of private education institutions in Dubai:
Dubai boasts 223 private schools serving over 365,000 students and offering 17 different curricula. The sector is growing, with six new schools opening this academic year, she said.
Miran highlighted that Dubai currently has 285 early childhood centres implementing 17 different curricula and educational programmes.
This reflects the sector’s rich diversity and ongoing growth to meet the community’s needs, she affirmed.
She also noted that Dubai is home to 38 licensed higher education institutions, serving nearly 35,000 students and offering over 650 academic programmes.
Four new higher education institutions will open this year, and KHDA is dedicated to attracting institutions that enhance the sector with exceptional content and effective teaching methods, she added.
Aisha Miran said: “Our focus will be on growth, enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a top global destination for high-quality education while offering diverse options for parents.”
She noted significant enrolment increases over the past two years, with a 16 per cent increase in early childhood centres, a 12 per cent boost in schools and higher education, and a 25 per cent growth in international students.
She also highlighted implicit support for the Dubai Social Agenda as well the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, including the launch of 39 new educational institutions, which include six private schools, 29 early childhood centres, and four international universities, including the first Chinese university inspired by a UAE-China partnership.
The KHDA aims to enhance high-quality educational opportunities for Emirati high achievers and strengthen partnerships with key organisations, Miran said.
The Dubai Distinguished Students Program will provide over 400 scholarships to exceptional Emirati students, covering 50 per cent of tuition fees at top schools for the 2024-2025 academic year, she noted, adding that several private schools have already joined the programme.
Miran emphasised that Dubai’s quality assurance system has effectively promoted transparency and accountability in the education sector. The KHDA will focus on further strengthening this system by supporting schools in need of development, monitoring their improvement plans, and paying special attention to schools with large numbers of Emirati students.
Additionally, the KHDA will continue to assess the quality of inclusive education and the overall academic atmosphere in schools, aiming to surpass expectations and raise educational standards.
She also highlighted the KHDA’s focus on enhancing the wellbeing of students and educators, emphasising the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment that benefits the entire educational community.
She concluded by reaffirming the KHDA’s dedication to enhancing student and educator experiences and improving government services for the student community and parents in the Emirate while upholding the highest performance standards.
