Dubai Set to Expand Affordable Education Access With 18,000 New Seats
Dubai’s private education sector is experiencing a significant growth spurt, welcoming a 4.6 per cent increase in student enrolment as the new academic year kicks off. With over 406,000 students now enrolled, the emirate is rapidly scaling its infrastructure to meet rising demand, recently inaugurating 26 new institutions, including seven schools and 17 early childhood centers. Looking ahead, authorities have committed to adding roughly 18,000 affordable seats over the next two years, ensuring that the city remains a viable and attractive hub for families seeking high-quality schooling.
This expansion is anchored in the "Education 33 Strategy," a long-term roadmap overseen by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Beyond simply increasing capacity, the strategy focuses on elevating student outcomes, as evidenced by recent top-tier rankings in global PISA assessments and significant score improvements among Emirati students. To further refine the system, the KHDA is launching new councils for students, parents, and educators, while prioritizing key areas such as AI literacy, Arabic language proficiency, and student wellbeing. By fostering these partnerships and continuing to attract prestigious international universities, Dubai is positioning itself as a world-class destination for knowledge and innovation.