When James H., a former resident of Dubai, first relocated to the UAE, one of his main challenges was finding affordable education for his three children. “My kids were all in high school, and the fees were about Dh60,000 per child,” he recalled.
“I couldn’t afford that, so my wife and I opted to rent a larger villa, and she homeschooled our children during our three-year stay in Dubai. The high cost of quality education was a key reason we eventually returned to Australia.”
James’s experience is shared by many who struggle with school fees in Dubai, where prices vary based on curriculum, facilities, and teaching quality. Budget-friendly options like the Iranian Salman Farisi Boys School start at Dh2,673 annually, while the priciest, GEMS School of Research and Innovation, begins at Dh116,000 per year.
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Recently, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) introduced a strategy to offer incentives for socially responsible investors and government-backed programs to make quality education more affordable and accessible.
‘Dubai can make it work’
British expat Victoria, who moved to Dubai two years ago, spends Dh150,000 yearly for her two children at a top-tier school. “High fees limit our discretionary spending, but we prioritize facilities and university prospects,” she explained. “The school’s global recognition is a major reason for staying.”
She believes affordable schools are a great idea and trusts Dubai to implement it successfully. “In the UK, education is about optimal access for all children, not just the best for one,” she noted.
“With non-profit schools like Dubai College, Dubai has demonstrated how affordable schools should operate. I’m confident the new plan will improve access to quality education at lower costs. Moreover, good schools should introduce scholarships to enhance diversity.”
Indian expat Surya Balakrishnan, who attended school in Dubai, recalls his parents paying Dh975 per month for his Grade 12 at an Indian-curriculum school. Now, as an IT professional, he anticipates paying Dh3,360 monthly—over three times as much—for his son’s kindergarten at a British-curriculum school in 2026.
“School fees have soared in recent years,” he mentioned. “We’re not wealthy, but we earn well and have one child. Because he gets motion sickness, we chose a nearby school to keep him comfortable, even if it’s pricier.” Surya believes affordable options could make a “meaningful impact” and is something he might consider.
Welcome move
GCC national Mariam, a single mother, pays Dh116,000 for her two children—one in primary and another in secondary—at a premium IB school. She feels the move to introduce affordable schools is “much-needed” but requires careful regulation.
“Affordable schooling is necessary, as many parents share their struggles with school fees, considering online schooling,” she said. “These schools may have limited facilities, so I hope KHDA ensures quality teaching.”
However, she stated that even with more affordable options, she wouldn’t switch schools. “I chose this school because it’s reasonably priced, and my kids are happy,” she said. “Investing in quality training and teaching staff is crucial, and I’m willing to pay extra for that.”
Counting each dirham
For some parents, every dirham matters in education. Pakistani expat Sama Sheikh spends about Dh40,000 annually on her only child’s schooling, including fees, transport, uniforms, and extracurriculars. As a single-income family, they stretch resources, reusing lunchboxes and uniforms until necessary replacements.
After the pandemic, she briefly switched to online education to cut costs. “It was affordable, and the teaching was decent,” she said. “But as an only child, my daughter missed social interaction, so we returned to traditional schooling.”
She supports the idea of affordable schools. “School fees consume a large portion of our income,” she said. “Seeing deductions every few months is tough. Affordable schools would provide relief.”
Similarly, Aaliya Hussain, a mother of four, relocated her children from Dubai to a more budget-friendly school in a northern emirate. “Dubai became too expensive,” she said. “We also stopped using the school bus, and now my husband and I alternate drop-offs and pick-ups. It’s challenging with kids aged 4 to 16, but we save Dh1,200 a month, making it worthwhile.”
She added that affordable, quality education in Dubai would be transformative. “We loved living in Dubai, but now my husband commutes long distances for work. Accessible education would significantly enhance our quality of life.”
