Dubai to add 18,000 affordable private school seats over two years

Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced plans to expand access to affordable education by adding approximately 18,000 seats in the private education sector over the next two academic years. The expansion reflects sustained growth in Dubai's private education landscape, with 406,563 students enrolled in private schools at the start of the current academic year, up 4.6% from approximately 388,731 in June 2026. Twenty-six new private educational institutions opened this academic year, including 17 early childhood centres, seven schools and two international higher education institutions. The initiative is part of Dubai's Education 33 Strategy, which aims to expand opportunities while supporting the emirate's global competitiveness. KHDA will also establish new councils for students, parents and educators to contribute to education sector development during the 2026-27 academic year.