What is the Dubai ‘School Fees Fact Sheet’ and how to use it
KHDA’s document breaks down mandatory, optional, and additional fees for Dubai schools
Dubai: Navigating the cost of private education in Dubai can be challenging for parents, but the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is helping to bring clarity.
Introduced in June 2022, the School Fees Fact Sheet offers a comprehensive breakdown of all mandatory, optional, and additional fees, allowing parents to better understand their financial obligations before the school year begins.
What is the School Fees Fact Sheet?
The School Fees Fact Sheet is a mandatory document that every private school in Dubai must provide to parents before the start of each academic year. It serves as a reference for both mandatory and optional fees, ensuring that families have a full picture of their financial commitments. T
he fact sheet is also included in the School/Parent Contract and is accessible online through the KHDA directory and the school’s website. Each fact sheet remains valid for one academic year and includes a QR code for verification.
What fees are included?
The fact sheet details various fees that parents may encounter during an academic year. These include:
Mandatory fees: Tuition fees, application fees, registration fees, and re-enrolment fees, all of which are regulated by KHDA.
Additional fees: Other school-related costs such as transportation, extra-curricular activities, school trips, and books.
Optional fees: These are generally not part of the curriculum delivery and may be provided by the school or a third-party provider. Parents must agree to these charges before opting in.
How are tuition fee increases regulated?
All tuition fee increases in Dubai’s private schools are governed by the School Fees Framework, ensuring that schools adhere to KHDA’s regulations before implementing any changes. This provides parents with greater financial stability and predictability.
Books and uniforms: Mandatory or optional?
One common concern among parents is whether books and uniforms are considered mandatory purchases from the school. The classification varies:
Mandatory book fees: Parents must purchase books directly from the school.
Optional book fees: Parents have the flexibility to buy books from the school or other suppliers, if available.
Included in tuition fees: Some schools incorporate the cost of books into the tuition fees, eliminating separate charges.
Uniforms: While mandatory, some schools allow parents to purchase uniforms from external vendors.
How to access the School Fees Fact Sheet
Parents can find the School Fees Fact Sheet for their child’s school through:
The KHDA directory
The school’s official website
The Parent/School Contract
How do I find the School Fees Fact Sheet?
You can access the fact sheet of schools in Dubai by following these steps
1. Visit this link - web.khda.gov.ae/en/Education-Directory/Schools
2. Click on the name of the school for which you would like to get the fact sheet.
3. The directory will open the listing for the school.
4. Click on the button titled ‘Fees Sheet’ on the right had corner of the screen. You will then be able to view the School Fees Fact Sheet.
How to get more details for a Dubai School
The KHDA Directory, which is available online, does not just provide the fact sheet for a school. You can also view the following details for each private school in the Emirate:
• School’s contact details.
• Location.
• Number of students and teachers.
• Teacher-student ratio and teacher turnover rate.
• Curriculum.
• Principal’s name.
• Gender and nationality percentage in the school.
• The school’s past KHDA ratings and inspection reports.
You can access the KHDA school directory here - web.khda.gov.ae/en/Education-Directory/Schools
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