Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced that private schools in the emirate will not undergo full inspections during the 2024-25 academic year. The announcement, issued through the Dubai Media Office, marks a significant shift in how the regulator monitors school quality — and affects the majority of the city's private school sector.
KHDA Dubai School Inspections Replaced by Quality Assurance Visits
Rather than putting each institution through a comprehensive annual inspection, the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) will conduct what it calls "quality assurance visits" throughout the coming academic year. These targeted evaluations will focus on specific performance areas, with an emphasis on monitoring how well schools are progressing against their own development and improvement plans.
The approach is designed to give schools the operational space to initiate and implement the changes they have identified, without the disruption that a full inspection cycle brings.
Which Dubai Schools Are Affected
Most established private schools in Dubai will move to the quality assurance visit model for 2024-25. However, schools in their third year of operation that have not yet undergone a full inspection will still be assessed comprehensively. The existing framework means those newer institutions must complete a full evaluation before the lighter-touch monitoring approach applies to them.
Schools that wish to request a full inspection — regardless of their standing — may do so by applying formally to the KHDA inspection team. Requests must outline the school's strategic plans, future goals, improvement areas, and significant milestones.
Impact on School Ratings and Fees
School fee adjustment rates in Dubai are tied to each institution's most recent KHDA inspection rating. Because full inspections are paused, ratings will not be updated for the 2024-25 cycle, meaning schools will retain their existing rating for fee-calculation purposes. KHDA approval through the School Fees Framework remains required for any fee increases.
Where Parents Can Find Inspection Reports
Parents and guardians looking for detailed performance data can access full inspection reports from the 2023-24 academic year, as well as individual parent summary reports, through the KHDA website or its mobile application. Those documents remain the most current published assessments for most schools.
