UAE: Dubai to build 60 affordable schools by 2033, creating 120,000 new student seats

Dubai has unveiled a long-term education drive to build 60 new affordable schools by 2033, aimed at creating around 120,000 additional student places and widening access to lower-cost private education. The initiative, part of the emirate’s wider social and education strategy includes incentives for investors and fee-reducing measures to make schooling more affordable for families.

Why is Dubai building 60 affordable schools?
Rapid population growth, rising school fees and demand for more mid-cost options have pushed Dubai to expand capacity and control education costs. The plan sits under Dubai’s broader Education 33 (E33) strategy and the emirate’s social agenda, which together prioritise affordable, quality schooling and more public seats over the next decade. Officials say the move will support families, reduce pressure on existing schools and diversify options in different neighbourhoods.

Dubai education strategy 2033
The new initiative, officially named the Policy to Expand and Promote Affordable High-Quality Schools, was recently approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council.

This project is a critical component of the wider Dubai Education Strategy (E33), which has a singular, bold goal: to position Dubai among the world's top 10 cities for education quality by 2033.

• The Scale: The addition of 60 schools will create an estimated 120,000 new student seats citywide over the next decade. On average, each new school will be designed to accommodate roughly 2,000 students.
  
• The Pace: To meet the 2033 target, openings are planned to occur at a steady pace, averaging 7 to 8 new affordable schools annually.

This expansion is happening against a backdrop of historic growth, with Dubai's private school enrolment surging by 12% in the 2023-2024 academic year and a further 6% the following year. Currently, 227 private schools serve over 387,441 students from 185 nationalities, underscoring the vital need for diverse and affordable options.

Affordable private schools Dubai
The core mechanism for making these schools "affordable" lies in strategic government incentives for private sector operators and investors. Rather than opening government-run schools, Dubai is encouraging private entities to set lower fee structures in exchange for significant financial support.

The new policy includes two key levers designed to dramatically reduce the operating costs for new schools:

• Reduced Government Fees: Operators of approved projects will benefit from discounted administrative fees.
  
• Lower Land Leasing Costs: Subsidies will be offered for the cost of leasing land for new school plots.

By cutting these major operational costs, the government intends for the savings to be directly passed on to families in the form of more accessible fee tiers.

Easing tuition fees for Dubai families
Crucially, "affordable" will not mean a compromise on educational quality. The new schools will be obligated to maintain high academic standards and will remain under the strict regulatory oversight of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The aim is to create more schools that achieve "Good" and "Very Good" ratings at a lower price point.

This focus is a direct response to financial pressure on families, particularly those with multiple children. Aisha Miran, Director General of the KHDA, previously acknowledged the concerns about the high cost of education and underlined the authority’s commitment to providing high-quality education at reasonable prices.

The ultimate vision is to cultivate a dynamic education ecosystem where every learner has access to the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, cementing Dubai’s reputation as a world-class educational hub for all families.