Dubai private schools now have 406,563 students, up 4.6% since June
Dubai’s private schools started the 2026-27 year with 406,563 students, up 4.6% from about 388,731 in June 2026. KHDA, the emirate’s education regulator, shared the figures at its Media Majlis on 1 October 2026. Seven new schools opened this year, adding nearly 17,000 seats, and about 18,000 affordable seats are expected over the next two academic years.
The numbers at a glance
All figures below come from the KHDA release.
| Measure | 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Students in private schools | 406,563 (up 4.6% since June) |
| New schools this year | 7, with nearly 17,000 seats |
| New early childhood centres | 17, with more than 1,700 seats |
| Affordable seats planned | About 18,000 over the next two years |
| New institutions in two years | 51 |
KHDA’s priorities for the year
The regulator listed six focus areas for 2026-27:
- Lifting results in schools with many Emirati students
- Cultural identity and Arabic
- Student wellbeing and protection
- Giving parents a bigger voice
- More affordable school options
- Developing Emirati talent in education
On the parent side, KHDA has formed the first Dubai Parents Council this year. A separate release of 7 October says it has 15 members, both Emirati and expatriate, picked from 152 nominations. Members serve for one year.
KHDA also pointed to Dubai’s results in PISA 2025, where private schools placed in the world’s top 10 in every area tested. Its September release puts Dubai sixth in reading, with an average of 501 points.
What it means for families moving in
More students means more competition for popular schools, even with new seats. If you are relocating mid-year, apply early and keep a second choice ready. The promised affordable seats are spread over two years, so do not count on them for January.
A child joining from India or elsewhere may need a few months to settle into English-medium classes or a new Hindi syllabus. Our English classes for kids and Hindi classes for kids in Dubai run online, 1-on-1, around school hours.
Starting at a new Dubai school? An AED 30 demo shows your child’s English level before the first term report does.
Source: Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Media Majlis release of 1 October 2026, with council details from 7 October 2026 and PISA results from 8 September 2026. This is general information; confirm details with the authority or your school.
Swati Shukla, Founder, WizMantra Academy
Swati Shukla founded WizMantra Academy, which teaches English, IELTS, French, Spanish and Hindi through live 1-on-1 online classes, including for learners across the UAE. She writes our news updates.
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