Dubai, UAE - In a significant move aimed at easing administrative pressures and fostering educational development, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced a temporary pause on full inspections for Dubai’s private schools during the 2025–26 academic year.
Instead of the traditional comprehensive evaluations, schools will undergo targeted quality assurance visits carried out by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB). These visits will focus on specific priority areas, giving schools more flexibility to continue implementing improvement plans based on past inspection outcomes.
This pause does not apply to new schools entering their third year of operation. These institutions will still undergo full inspections as per standard KHDA policy. Additionally, any school that wishes to request a full inspection may do so by submitting a request to the DSIB by July 5, 2025. Approval will be subject to KHDA review, and selected schools will be notified by Term 2.
The KHDA’s decision has been welcomed by school leaders, who view it as an opportunity to concentrate on professional development, creative teaching methods, and student-centered learning. Many educators believe the move will allow schools to better embed improvements without the pressure of annual ratings.
School fee adjustments in Dubai are typically linked to the most recent KHDA inspection ratings. With full inspections paused, there is some uncertainty around how fee increases for the 2026–27 academic year will be determined. However, KHDA officials have confirmed that any changes will continue to follow the existing School Fees Framework, ensuring transparency and accountability.
For the 2024–25 academic year, the KHDA had approved a fee increase of up to 5.2%, depending on a school’s rating and the Education Cost Index. A similar structure may be adapted for 2026–27 based on the updated quality assurance visit outcomes.
In the most recent academic year (2024–25), KHDA inspected 209 private schools, including 10 first-time evaluations. Results showed significant progress, with over 81% of students attending schools rated “Good” or better, and no schools rated “Very Weak.”
All schools are expected to:
Continue updating their Self-Evaluation Forms
Maintain an up-to-date online school profile
Prepare for targeted visits focused on specific development areas
This decision aligns with KHDA’s broader vision to create an education system that supports continuous growth while reducing unnecessary workload on school staff.