All about Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority
Dubai has an advanced education system that is extremely well-regulated to meet the needs of the growing population. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is the leading quality assurance and regulatory body of the Government of Dubai that oversees private schools in the emirate. Read on to find more about the role of this educational quality assurance authority in Dubai.
About the KHDA UAE
Established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai) in 2006, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) evaluates the quality of education in the city. The authority also set safety protocols for schools in Dubai. KHDA works to maintain high standards in the private educational sector. It includes pre-schools, schools, universities and vocational training institutes.
KHDA DUBAI RESOURCES
KHDA RATING SYSTEM
Knowledge and Human Development Authority issues school inspection reports every year, in which the educational institutes are given a rating: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable or Weak. The reports provide detailed information about the quality of education offered by a school, enabling parents to make informed decisions.
RATING OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN DUBAI
Rating of International Higher Education Institutions in Dubai is another publication by KHDA. It is designed to help parents and students choose the most suitable higher education option for each individual. Teaching, employability, research, programme strength, arts and culture, happiness, and well-being were some factors used to evaluate the universities. Instead of using the star system that was in place in past years, KHDA has now released the real score of each school.
THE SCHOOL FEES FACT SHEET
This new tool is created to provide parents in Dubai with comprehensive and trustworthy information on their children’s school expenses. It is a one-page guide that lists every charge that a school may levy throughout the academic year.
BRITISH SCHOOLS OVERSEAS INSPECTIONS
Schools in Dubai that offer the National Curriculum of England and Wales can now apply for the British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection. Parents who send their kids to BSO-inspected schools know that the education they’re getting is on par with what they’d get in an independent school in the UK. Ask the school if they are BSO-certified if you are contemplating the British curriculum for your child.
KHDA DUBAI ENTITIES
Dubai School Inspection Bureau
Established in 2007 by the Executive Council of the Government of Dubai, the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) conducts surveys to gain comprehensive information about Dubai’s quality of private education.
It carries out school inspections, meetings with parents and students and education providers and gives the KHDA rating to each school based on these educational standards.
DUBAI SCHOOL AGENCY (DSA)
Established to review educational services in the UAE, Dubai School Agency (DSA) is another key entity of KHDA. It regulates the partnership between government organisations and private institutes and encourages new programs to offer academic support to Emirati students.
EMIRATES NATIONALS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (ENDP)
A regulatory arm of KHDA, the Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP) aims to support and train UAE citizens to kickstart their careers in the private sector. It connects job seekers with potential employers, offering them viable career prospects.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION (NIVE)
Established under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE) is another significant entity of KHDA. It not only encourages vocational education but also ensures students gain competencies that increase their chances of employment.
Qualifications and Awards Directorate (QAD)
QAD operates under KHDA and functions as the awarding body for educational qualifications in Dubai. It manages the National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Council (VETAC), ensuring that awarded qualifications meet high standards of recognition and quality.
Training Institutes
The KHDA UAE also approves and supervises private training centres that offer professional development courses across various fields, including business management, leadership, finance, marketing and technology. These institutes are officially KHDA-approved after meeting set quality and compliance benchmarks.
TAMKEEN
Operating under KHDA, Tamkeen was established to facilitate employment opportunities for People of Determination. It offers continuous training programs, braille printing services and even counsels people with special needs.
KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY INITIATIVES
Education 33 Strategy Dubai & KHDA
Education 33 (E33) is KHDA’s forward-looking strategy shaping Dubai’s education system through to 2033. Championed by Dubai’s Crown Prince, E33 shifts focus from institution-centred learning to a personalised learner-centric approach. It aims to produce highly skilled, knowledgeable and values-driven graduates who are ready for the future economy.
Five core goals define E33:
- Empowering productive Emirati youth with quality education.
- Ensuring equitable access and inclusion for all learners.
- Expanding early childhood education enrolment.
- Transforming the education ecosystem with innovation and inclusion.
- Positioning Dubai as a global education hub.
E33 initiatives include expanding private schools, stricter teacher hiring rules, enhancing higher education and supporting student leadership and wellbeing.
Game Changer Initiatives
The Game Changer initiatives are 28 targeted projects within the Education 33 strategy designed to revolutionise Dubai’s education:
- Emphasising Emirati culture and Arabic language alongside Dubai’s multicultural values.
- Creating personalised learning journeys.
- Engaging educators and parents as lifelong learning partners.
- Enhancing educators’ professional development and expanding Emirati educators.
- Promoting inclusion, equity, and well-being through projects like All Rise and Excel Anywhere.
- Establishing flagship universities and expanding quality early childhood centres, such as Al Freej Nurseries.
These initiatives mark a move from traditional, institution-focused education towards an inclusive ecosystem tailored to every learner’s success.
SERVICES
KHDA offers a wide range of services to schools, parents and education providers in Dubai. To avail of these services online, you will need to use their E-Services portal.
E-FEEDBACK SYSTEM
KHDA has an online feedback system where you can send your inquiries or file a complaint against a school or university if a particular institute has been unfair to your child in any way.
FOR EDUCATION PROVIDERS
To assist education providers in the UAE, KHDA offers a wide range of online services that include:
- Issuance, cancellation, renewal and amendment of educational services permit
- Advertisement approvals
- School Fees Regulation
- Staff registration and appointment
- Attestation of employment contract
- Issuance of End of Service Certificate
FOR STUDENTS
KHDA also offers these services to students:
- Student registration
- Student transfer
- Issuance of the student leaving certificate
- Replacement of Educational Certificate
- Education Continuation Certificate
- Student certificate replacement
- Student Good Conduct Certificate
- Student Education Continuation
- Certificate equivalence
FOR PARENTS
KHDA has an extensive directory of schools available on the website. When selecting a school for their child, parents can search for schools based on their curriculum, annual tuition fees and KHDA rating on the KHDA website.
To ensure clarity and transparency between schools and students’ families, there are contracts created when a child is enrolled in the school. KHDA stipulates the terms and conditions of the contract. Parents have to sign the contract at the beginning of each academic year.
There is also a KHDA parent portal known as Happy Home, where parents can log in using their Emirates ID or UAE Pass to sign a contract.
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE
KHDA trains people of determination to be job-ready, enabling them to lead fulfilling, independent lives. For visually impaired people, KHDA’s regulatory body, Tamkeen, also organises Braille training sessions.
FOR EMIRATI WORKFORCE
Through the Emirates Nationals Development Programme, KHDA offers employment opportunities in the private sector to Emiratis. It connects job seekers with business owners and employers seeking prospective candidates to hire for their respective companies.
Moreover, with the support of the National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE), KHDA provides employment opportunities to individuals who have completed vocational education in Dubai.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
Dubai Distinguished Students Programme
The programme, launched under the Dubai Social Agenda 33, is a joint initiative between the government and the private sector. It offers quality education opportunities to exceptional Emirati students through agreements signed by the KHDA and the Knowledge Fund Establishment with top private schools that provide globally recognised curricula.
It supports Emirati students at all educational levels who show strong academic performance, leadership skills and dedication to learning. The scholarship covers half of the tuition fees at schools rated “Good” or above, with parents or guardians covering the remainder.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme
The Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme supports exceptional Emirati graduates from public and private schools in their pursuit of studies at leading international universities.
The initiative focuses on nurturing Emirati talent by combining academic excellence with leadership and entrepreneurial development, aligning with Dubai’s future needs. Each year, the top 100 male and female students are chosen to pursue bachelor’s degrees in high-value fields, preparing future leaders and innovators for the emirate’s growth.
RAHHAL – A DUBAI 10X INITIATIVE
Rahhal is part of the 10X programme, which translates to “traveller” in Arabic. Rahhal is a fully customisable platform that can help anyone, including businesses, become a learning provider. It functions as a conduit, channelling the community’s knowledge and skills to each student.
The program is presently offered only to full-time students enrolled in Dubai Private Schools. On KHDA’s website, you can find a list of schools participating in the Rahhal project.
KHDA APP
The KHDA app is a one-stop platform for discovering schools, universities, and training institutes across Dubai. Designed to make educational choices easier, it allows users to search and compare schools based on location, curriculum, quality and fees.
The app also provides detailed insights such as accreditation status and teacher-to-student ratios, helping parents and students make informed decisions. It features comprehensive listings of Dubai’s universities, searchable by ratings, programmes, degrees and areas of specialisation. Each institution’s contact details are readily available, making it simple to reach out and learn more.
KHDA LOCATION AND TIMINGS
Here is the address and information about the office hours of the KHDA:
- Address: Block 10, Academic City, Dubai
- Timings: Monday to Thursday 07:30 am – 03:30 pm | Friday 07:30 am – 12:00 pm
CONTACT DETAILS
There are multiple ways to contact KHDA. You can call either on the KHDA main number: +971-4-364-0000 or their toll-free number: 800 5432.
KHDA’s complaint and inquiry system is also effective. You can email info@khda.gov.ae or use the e-feedback system on the KHDA website.
FAQs
What is KHDA, and what does it regulate in Dubai?
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority oversees Dubai’s private education sector. It regulates schools, universities, and training institutes, ensuring quality standards, licensing, fee structures and overall student well-being.
How does the KHDA rating system work for private schools?
Private schools are assessed by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) based on teaching quality, student outcomes, leadership and wellbeing. They receive ratings from Weak to Outstanding, which influence fee adjustments and school reputation.
What changes are happening in KHDA’s inspection policy for 2025-26?
Full inspections are paused for the 2025-26 year, except for schools in their third year of operation. The KHDA will instead conduct targeted visits focusing on key areas for improvement, continue external benchmark assessments and require schools to submit regular self-evaluations.
What is the age criterion for schools in Dubai?
For schools that start the academic year in September, the age limit for the new students will be:
- Pre-KG or Foundation Stage 1: 3 years old by August 31st
- KG1 or Foundation Stage 2: 4 years old by August 31st
- KG2 or Year 1: 5 years old by August 31st
- Year 2 or Grade 1: 6 years old by August 31st
For schools that start the academic year in April, the age requirement will be:
- Pre-KG: 3 years old by March 31st
- KG1: 4 years old by March 31st
- KG2: 5 years old by March 31st
- Grade 1: 6 years old by March 31st
And that’s all we have for you on the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the agency which oversees the management and educational practices of all these top schools in Dubai.
While many of these are British curriculum schools, some also follow other popular curricula, including the CBSE and IB programmes in Dubai. If you are looking for pocket-friendly options, luckily, there are many affordable schools in Dubai as well.
For more education-related information and updates, stay tuned to MyBayut.
Cover Image Credits: KHDA
