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At a glance: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) regulates and supports Dubai’s private education ecosystem — from nurseries and schools to universities and training providers. It inspects quality, licenses institutions, sets policies on fees and safety, and provides transparent tools to help families choose the right school. Below is a practical guide to KHDA’s role, resources, services and initiatives.
About the KHDA
Established in 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, KHDA is Dubai’s quality assurance and regulatory authority for private education. Its mandate covers early childhood centres, schools, higher education providers and professional training institutes. KHDA evaluates quality through inspections and audits, sets safety and wellbeing protocols, issues and renews permits, and ensures transparency around admissions, fees and contracts so families can make informed decisions.
In practice, KHDA collaborates with schools and universities to drive continuous improvement, encourages innovation, and supports inclusion. It also facilitates workforce development through vocational pathways and employability-focused programs, helping students transition successfully from learning to earning.
KHDA Dubai Resources
KHDA rating system
Every year, the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) publishes inspection reports and awards each private school a rating: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable or Weak. Reports assess teaching and learning, student outcomes, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion and the effectiveness of self-evaluation. Ratings inform families about academic quality and influence aspects like a school’s eligibility for fee adjustments.
How to use the ratings:
- Compare schools on overall rating, subjects, student progress and wellbeing.
- Read the narrative feedback to understand strengths and priorities for improvement.
- Check inclusion and support services if your child has additional learning needs.
Rating of higher education institutions
KHDA’s Rating of International Higher Education Institutions in Dubai helps students evaluate universities on teaching quality, employability, research, programme strength, arts and culture, happiness and wellbeing. Instead of a previous star system, KHDA now publishes real scores for clearer comparisons. Students can filter by programme, accreditation and graduate outcomes to choose the best fit.
The School Fees Fact Sheet
To make school costs transparent, KHDA introduced a one-page School Fees Fact Sheet for each private school. It lists all charges a school may levy during the academic year (tuition, uniforms, transport, extracurriculars, exam fees and more) so parents can see the full picture before committing.
British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspections
Dubai schools offering the National Curriculum for England can apply for British Schools Overseas inspections. BSO recognition assures families that the school’s standards align with those of independent schools in the UK. If you’re considering a British curriculum, ask whether the school holds BSO status alongside KHDA inspections.
KHDA Entities
Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB)
Created in 2007, DSIB conducts school inspections and stakeholder surveys, meets with school leaders, teachers, parents and students, and issues annual reports. Its findings underpin KHDA ratings and help schools plan targeted improvement.
Dubai Schools Agency (DSA)
DSA reviews educational services, strengthens partnerships between public bodies and private providers, and supports initiatives that raise achievement among Emirati students, including enrichment and targeted support programs.
Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP)
ENDP connects UAE nationals with training, internships and job opportunities in the private sector, aligning talent development with labour market needs and supporting long-term career growth.
National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE)
NIVE promotes vocational education pathways that build work-ready competencies in technical and professional fields, helping learners gain practical skills and recognized qualifications.
Qualifications and Awards Directorate (QAD)
QAD oversees the awarding of qualifications in Dubai and works with national bodies such as the National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Council (VETAC) to ensure quality, relevance and recognition.
Training institutes
KHDA approves and monitors private training centers across disciplines like business, leadership, finance, marketing and technology. Institutes must meet compliance and quality benchmarks to become and remain KHDA-approved.
Tamkeen
Tamkeen focuses on empowering People of Determination through training, career support and accessibility services. It offers Braille printing and upskilling programs to promote independence and employment.
KHDA Initiatives
Education 33 (E33)
E33 is KHDA’s long-term roadmap for Dubai’s education system through 2033. It reframes learning around the learner — emphasizing personalized pathways, wellbeing and future readiness. The strategy aims to produce skilled, values-driven graduates who can thrive in a competitive, innovation-led economy.
Five core goals of E33:
- Empower productive Emirati youth with high-quality education.
- Ensure equitable access and inclusion for every learner.
- Expand early childhood education provision and enrolment.
- Transform the education ecosystem through innovation and partnerships.
- Position Dubai as a global education hub.
Practical measures range from expanding quality private school capacity and strengthening teacher recruitment and development, to enhancing higher education and leadership opportunities for students.
Game Changer initiatives
Within E33, 28 Game Changer initiatives accelerate impact across culture, inclusion and innovation:
- Deepen Emirati culture and Arabic language while celebrating Dubai’s multicultural identity.
- Enable personalized learning journeys tailored to students’ strengths and aspirations.
- Engage educators and parents as lifelong learning partners.
- Elevate teacher development and grow the pipeline of Emirati educators.
- Promote inclusion, equity and wellbeing through projects like All Rise and Excel Anywhere.
- Expand quality early childhood centers and attract flagship universities.
Services
KHDA’s e-services portal centralizes licensing, approvals, attestations and parent-school contracts. Most requests are completed online, supported by clear guides and service-level timelines.
E-feedback system
Parents and students can submit questions, suggestions or complaints via KHDA’s e-feedback channel. This ensures concerns about admissions, fees, safety or academic matters are handled transparently and efficiently.
For education providers
KHDA provides end-to-end online services for private providers, including:
- Issuance, renewal, cancellation and amendment of permits
- Advertisement approvals
- School fees regulation requests
- Staff registration and appointment
- Employment contract attestation
- End of Service Certificate issuance
For students
Key student services include:
- Student registration and transfer between schools
- Leaving certificate and education continuation certificate
- Educational certificate replacement
- Good Conduct Certificate
- Certificate equivalence
Helpful tip: certificate attestation
- Confirm that your school or institute is KHDA-licensed.
- Prepare your Emirates ID and original documents.
- Submit the online attestation request and pay the fee.
- Track your application via the e-services portal and collect or receive the attested document as instructed.
For parents
Parents can search KHDA’s school directory by curriculum, location, fees and rating to shortlist options. Upon enrolment, a KHDA-stipulated parent-school contract sets out rights, responsibilities, fees and policies; parents sign it online at the start of each academic year. The Happy Home parent portal allows easy access for contract signing and record-keeping using Emirates ID or UAE Pass.
For visually impaired people
Through Tamkeen, KHDA offers Braille training and job-readiness support so visually impaired learners can gain independence and access dignified employment.
For the Emirati workforce
KHDA’s ENDP connects Emirati jobseekers with private-sector employers and internships, while NIVE supports learners who follow vocational pathways with industry-aligned skills.
Scholarships and student support programmes
Dubai Distinguished Students Programme
Launched under the Dubai Social Agenda 33, this joint government–private sector initiative supports exceptional Emirati students with places at top private schools offering globally recognized curricula. Eligible students receive a scholarship that covers half the tuition fees at schools rated Good or above; parents or guardians cover the remaining portion.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme
This programme funds outstanding Emirati graduates from public and private schools to study at leading international universities. Each year, the top candidates pursue bachelor’s degrees in high-impact fields while developing leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities aligned with Dubai’s future economy.
Rahhal (Dubai 10X)
Rahhal — meaning ‘traveller’ in Arabic — is a flexible, personalized learning framework that opens the door for the community, industry and organisations to contribute to learning. Currently available to full-time students in Dubai private schools, Rahhal enables custom pathways that recognize learning beyond the traditional classroom.
KHDA app
The KHDA app is a one-stop directory of Dubai schools, universities and training institutes. Families can filter by curriculum, fees, location and quality rating, view accreditation details and student–teacher ratios, and find contact information to book tours or request more information. For higher education, the app helps compare programmes and ratings to shortlist the best-fit university.
KHDA location and timings
Visit or contact KHDA at the below address and office hours:
- Address: Block 10, Academic City, Dubai
- Timings: Monday to Thursday 07:30 am – 03:30 pm | Friday 07:30 am – 12:00 pm
Contact details
You can reach KHDA by phone on +971-4-364-0000 or toll-free 800 5432. For general queries and complaints, email [email protected] or submit via the e-feedback system on the KHDA website.
FAQs
What does KHDA regulate in Dubai?
KHDA oversees private education, including licensing and quality assurance for nurseries, schools, universities and training institutes. It sets policies for fees, safety, wellbeing and inclusion, and publishes inspection reports and ratings.
How do KHDA school ratings work?
DSIB inspects schools on teaching quality, student achievement, leadership, wellbeing and inclusion. Schools receive ratings from Weak to Outstanding, with detailed reports that highlight strengths and areas for improvement. Ratings can influence fee increase eligibility and are a key indicator for parents.
What’s changing in inspections for 2025–26?
Full inspections are paused for 2025–26 except for schools in their third year of operation. KHDA will run targeted visits focused on priority improvement areas, continue external benchmark assessments and require regular school self-evaluations.
How can I verify a school’s fees and additional charges?
Check the KHDA School Fees Fact Sheet for the school you’re considering. It lists tuition and all potential add-on charges in one page, ensuring transparency before you enrol.
What is the age criterion for entry to early years and Grade 1/Year 2?
For September-start schools: FS1/Pre-KG 3 years, FS2/KG1 4 years, Year 1/KG2 5 years, Year 2/Grade 1 6 years by August 31. For April-start schools: Pre-KG 3 years, KG1 4 years, KG2 5 years, Grade 1 6 years by March 31.
How do I transfer my child between schools in Dubai?
Request a transfer through the new school and complete KHDA’s student transfer via the e-services portal. You’ll also need a leaving certificate from the current school and to sign the new KHDA parent-school contract.
Where can Emirati students find scholarships or support?
Programmes include the Dubai Distinguished Students Programme (50% tuition at schools rated Good or above) and the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship for top graduates to attend leading global universities. Check KHDA announcements for eligibility and application windows.
