Dubai private schools to face 24-hour notice KHDA inspections from 2026-27

Dubai's private schools will undergo a new round of quality assurance visits from the first term of the 2026-27 academic year, with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) introducing a more flexible, data-driven approach to assessing education quality.

Under the revised system, schools will receive no more than 24 hours' notice before a visit. AI tools will determine the most appropriate type of assessment for each school, based on its stage of development, performance data, and individual needs.

KHDA has introduced two types of quality assurance visits: comprehensive assessments and shorter, targeted follow-up visits. New schools in their first or second year will receive specialised visits focusing on teaching quality and student experience. Schools entering their third year will undergo comprehensive assessments covering overall performance, teaching standards, and learning outcomes.

This academic year's visits will focus on early childhood education, the quality of education for Emirati students, inclusive education for students of determination, and Arabic language teaching. Fatma Belrehif, CEO of the Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA, stated that the revised approach places students at the centre of school assessments and reflects Dubai's Education 33 Strategy objectives.