Private School Quality Assurance
The UAE has one of the world's most diverse private school markets, overseen by KHDA (Dubai), ADEK (Abu Dhabi), and SPEA (Sharjah).
In Dubai, the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) inspects schools annually and assigns ratings that directly dictate the maximum tuition fee increase allowed for that school year.
KHDA DSIB Inspection Ratings & Fee Increase Caps
| KHDA Inspection Rating | Performance Standard | Fee Increase Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Outstanding | Exceptionallly high quality leadership, teaching & student progress | 100% of Educational Cost Index (ECI) multiplier |
| ⭐ Very Good | Exceeds expected national and international standards | 75% of Educational Cost Index (ECI) multiplier |
| ✅ Good | Meets full expected UAE national standard | 50% of Educational Cost Index (ECI) multiplier |
| ⚠️ Acceptable | Minimum acceptable standard for school operation | 0% fee increase permitted |
| ❌ Weak / Very Weak | Fails to meet acceptable national educational standards | 0% fee increase permitted (subject to sanction) |
British Curriculum (IGCSE & A-Levels)
Market Share: ~34% of private school market in Dubai
Major Examinations: IGCSE (Grade 10/FS11) & A-Levels (Grade 12/13 / Year 12/13)
Typical Fee Range: AED 35,000 – 110,000 / year
Prominent Schools: Dubai College, Jumeirah College, Kings' School Dubai, Dubai British School
Frequently Asked Questions
KHDA inspects Dubai private schools annually through DSIB and rates them: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, and Weak. Tuition fee increases are linked to these ratings.
ADEK uses the Irtiqa'a framework in Abu Dhabi to inspect public and private schools, rating them from Band A (Outstanding/Very Good) to Band C (Weak).
It depends on future university plans. British is popular for UK pathways, IB for global flexibility, American for US colleges, and CBSE for Indian university entrance exams.
KHDA & ADEK Verified
• KHDA School Directory & Ratings: khda.gov.ae
• ADEK Abu Dhabi Schools Directory: adek.gov.ae