Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) now requires all private schools to share a School Fees Fact Sheet before each school year—giving parents clarity by outlining every mandatory, additional, and optional fee involved in educating their children.
For many parents, navigating the cost of private schooling in Dubai can feel like solving a puzzle. Tuition, uniforms, trips, clubs, and more—it quickly adds up. To address this challenge, KHDA introduced the School Fees Fact Sheet in 2022—a one-page document that spells out all the fees a parent might encounter in a given academic year.
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Every private school in Dubai must provide this document—embedded in the parent-school contract and published online. It lists:
Mandatory fees: Tuition, application, registration, re-enrolment, and development levies—all regulated to ensure transparency.
Additional fees: These include transport, uniforms, textbooks, extracurricular activities, school trips, and more. Some may be mandatory, others optional.
Optional services: Think foreign language programs, boarding expenses, enrichment classes, or overseas travel. These are clearly marked as “opt-in” charges.
Discounts or scholarships, if available, such as sibling reductions or academic awards.
A QR code for quick verification and access to details via KHDA’s online directory.
Dubai parents often juggle multiple school options and massive cost variations—fees can range from AED 15,000 to over AED 100,000 per year depending on curriculum and school quality. The fact sheet levels the playing field by offering:
Budget clarity—no surprises once the year begins.
Easier comparisons—parents can see which schools charge extra for essential items versus optional add-ons.
Peace of mind—regulated tuition increases under the KHDA framework provide cost predictability.
Parents can access their child’s school’s fact sheet via:
The Dubai KHDA school directory.
The school’s official website.
The parent-school contract, where the fact sheet is embedded.
Each sheet is valid for the academic year and includes a QR code to ensure authenticity and ease of access.
Education advisors say this tool has been a game-changer: “Parents now spend hours comparing schools. With the fact sheet, that time drops significantly—fees are laid out transparently,” one consultant observed.
School administrators also report fewer billing disputes early in the year, since parents clearly see optional versus mandatory costs from the outset.
Non-curriculum charges—some schools’ cafeteria menus, third-party language lessons, and others may not be explicitly listed, so parents should still confirm all costs.
Discount nuances—while common deductions like sibling discounts are listed, the fine print may have eligibility conditions worth double-checking.
KHDA’s School Fees Fact Sheet is more than just a form—it’s a tool that empowers parents with full visibility over school-related expenses. Whether comparing options or planning a family budget, this one-page summary can save time, stress, and unexpected costs.
