Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has outlined its priorities for the 2026–27 academic year. Student and educator wellbeing, quality assurance, Emirati talent, Arabic language and parent engagement are among them.
The priorities and latest developments were shared at the KHDA Media Majlis on 1 October 2026. The event brought together KHDA leadership and media representatives to discuss Dubai’s education sector, the implementation of Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) Strategy, and the key initiatives and policies planned for the next phase.
The priorities for 2026–27
KHDA’s priorities for this academic year include:
- Raising the performance of schools with high concentrations of Emirati students
- Strengthening cultural identity and Arabic language
- Enhancing student wellbeing and protection
- Empowering parents
- Expanding access to affordable education options
- Developing Emirati talent across the education ecosystem
KHDA will also continue its efforts to attract international higher education institutions and international students. It will support research and innovation, strengthen AI literacy, financial literacy and future skills, and expand career readiness and education pathways.
Two years of Education 33
In the two years since the E33 Strategy launched, KHDA has introduced more than 20 transformative game changer initiatives. It has also developed 28 policies, guidelines and regulatory frameworks. The focus has been on placing learners at the centre of the education journey.
These initiatives and policies cover education quality assurance, future skills, Arabic language education (particularly in early childhood), national identity, inclusive education, teacher wellbeing, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, flexible regulation, and the empowerment of students, educators and families.
Over the same period, KHDA has worked to support different stages of the learner journey. It has also worked to strengthen the quality, clarity and sustainable growth of Dubai’s private education sector.
Speaking at the event, Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, said: “Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy is the compass that guides our work and sets out where we want Dubai’s education ecosystem to be by 2033. Two years since its adoption, we have made important progress, but our ambition extends further. We want its impact to reach every student, family, teacher, and educational institution in Dubai.”
She added: “Every initiative we launch, policy we develop and partnership we build contributes to an education ecosystem that responds to the needs of learners, develops their skills, strengthens their identity and expands opportunities, while supporting Dubai’s global competitiveness.”
Enrolment, new schools and new seats
Dubai’s private schools enrolled 406,563 students at the start of the new academic year. That compares with approximately 388,731 in June 2026, an increase of 4.6%. KHDA says the growth reflects sustained demand for private education and families’ choice of Dubai as a place to live, raise their children and access high-quality education.
In total, 51 new private educational institutions have opened in Dubai over the past two academic years. Twenty-six opened this academic year:
| Type of institution | Opened this academic year | New seats |
|---|---|---|
| Private early childhood centres (ECCs) | 17 | More than 1,700 |
| Schools | 7 | Nearly 17,000 |
| International higher education institutions | 2 |
Approximately 18,000 affordable seats are expected to be added over the next two academic years.
PISA 2025 results
Dubai’s private schools ranked among the world’s top 10 education systems across all PISA 2025 assessment domains.
The performance of Emirati students also improved by 31 points in mathematics, 30 points in science and 18 points in reading. KHDA says this reflects progress in student outcomes and the continued development of Dubai’s education system.
Quality assurance visits resume
Quality assurance visits to private schools resume during the current academic year. KHDA will continue to apply high performance standards through a regulatory approach that is clear, fair, consistent and supportive of educational institutions.
New councils for students, parents and educators
The 2026–27 academic year will see the second cohort of the Dubai Students Council formed. It will also see the introduction of the first Dubai Parents Council and the first Dubai Educators Council.
The councils will give students, parents and educators a platform to contribute to the development of the education sector and help shape the learner journey.
Empowering parents
Empowering parents is a key pillar of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy. Since E33 was adopted, KHDA has organised more than 20 parent awareness sessions, reaching over 5,000 parents. Topics have included positive parenting, family resilience, digital safety and supporting children during periods of stress.
Higher education growth
KHDA will continue to develop programmes and services under the City of Students game changer initiative, to enhance the experience of higher education students studying in Dubai. The initiative aims to attract more international students, talent and global institutions, while supporting research, innovation and knowledge creation across the emirate.
Dubai’s private education landscape has recorded annual growth of 4.6% across early childhood education, schools and higher education over the past three academic years. Eleven new higher education institutions have opened over the past three years, alongside a 29% increase in enrolment.
Two globally recognised universities are opening in Dubai this academic year. Peking University HSBC Business School will launch its MBA and EMBA programmes, ranked 47th globally in the QS rankings, in January 2027. The American University of Beirut’s Dubai campus opened in September 2026.
Keeping families informed
Her Excellency Aisha Miran emphasised the important role of the media in keeping families and communities informed. She said the media brings the issues that matter to society into the conversation and helps build greater understanding of developments across the education sector.
“The Media Majlis reflects our commitment to maintaining an open and continuous dialogue with the media and sharing our progress, priorities and next steps clearly,” she said.
