Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced a series of changes that will shape how families approach education in the 2025–26 academic year. Whether you already live in the UAE or are planning your move, these updates merit your attention particularly if you value long-term academic stability, bilingual development, and cost clarity.
- Arabic Now Mandatory for Early Learners
Beginning September 2025, all nurseries and early childhood centres will be required to offer Arabic language development for children aged 0–6. This shift, driven by the Loughat Al Daad initiative, marks the first time Arabic will be systematically integrated into early learning settings.
What this means for you:
Parents must now distinguish between centres that offer true language immersion and those adding Arabic superficially. For bilingual families or those new to the region, this change adds a new layer to your nursery selection process.
- KHDA Inspection Pause in 2025–26
KHDA will suspend its usual full school inspections for one year. Instead, it will rely on focused reviews and community-led evaluations.
Implication for relocating families:
If you’re assessing new schools or transferring midstream, the usual benchmark reports won’t be available. This visibility gap makes trusted advisory and school reputation mapping even more critical.
- Tuition Fee Increases Capped at 2.35%
Eligible schools may increase tuition by up to 2.35% for the 2025–26 year.
Practical takeaway:
While the cap is moderate, it underscores the need to project your educational investment over time especially if you have multiple children or are considering premium curricula. Fee stability must be assessed in context with value delivery.
- Ten New Schools and 16,000+ New Seats
Under Dubai’s Education 33 strategy, access is expanding. New openings in 2024–25 include:
- Dubai British School Jumeira
- GEMS Founders School, Dubai South
- New Dawn Private School
- Hampton Heights International School
- Amity English School
- Springfield International School
- Lycée Français Jean Mermoz (South Campus)
- BC Academy
More are expected in the year ahead. While new schools mean more choice, they also bring complexity, especially when relocating mid-year or comparing curricula (British, IB, French, American, Indian).
How Dawia Family Office Supports Your Family’s Education Journey
At Dawia Family Office, we work with families across Africa (including but not limited to Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa) who choose the UAE not just for business, but for family life. Education is often the most emotionally charged and time-sensitive part of that journey.
We step in with:
- Tailored shortlists based on your values and your child’s profile
- Early placement strategies with preferred schools
- Clear comparisons across tuition fees, language offerings, and academic results
- Hands-on support through every application cycle
You won’t have to guess. We make the process structured, proactive, and aligned with your long-term goals.
📩 Planning your move or reassessing your child’s school?
Let’s have a conversation.
Your child’s future deserves a clear and trusted path.