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Decoding KHDA Rules & Regulations: What They Really Mean for Your Child

  • Writer: Tee
    Tee
  • Aug 9
  • 3 min read


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If your child goes to a private school in Dubai, there’s one four-letter acronym you’ll hear a lot: KHDA. It stands for the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the government body that oversees all private education in Dubai, from nurseries to universities.


Their mission sounds noble: to ensure quality, regulate standards, and keep education world-class. But as a parent, what does that actually mean for your child’s everyday school life?


Let’s break it down.


KHDA Decides What Schools Can Teach (and How)


KHDA doesn’t run the schools, but it approves their curricula. Whether your child is in a British, American, IB, or Indian curriculum school, KHDA ensures that core subjects like Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies are taught according to national guidelines.


What it means for your child:


  • No matter the curriculum, certain subjects are non-negotiable.

  • These classes may feel “tacked on” in some schools, but they’re required by law.

  • Instruction time is set by KHDA, so if you think Arabic lessons are too short (or too long), it’s not the school’s choice.


Inspections Shape School Culture


Every year or two, schools are inspected by KHDA’s Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB). They look at teaching quality, student outcomes, leadership, and more—then give the school a public rating: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, or Weak.

What it means for your child:


  • The inspection year can be intense and can mean extra homework, “practice” lessons, and pressure on both students and teachers to perform.

  • Schools chase high ratings because ratings affect reputation (and fees).

  • A great rating can be a good sign but it’s not the whole story of school quality.


Fees Are Tied to Ratings


KHDA regulates school fees. Schools can’t raise tuition whenever they want—they have to follow the Education Cost Index rules. Higher-rated schools are often allowed to raise fees by a bigger percentage.


What it means for your child:


  • If your child’s school gets a better rating, expect a possible fee increase.

  • This can mean better resources… or just a bigger bill.

  • Always ask how a fee hike will directly benefit your child’s learning.


Teachers Must Be Approved


Schools can’t just hire anyone. KHDA approves teaching staff qualifications before contracts are issued.


What it means for your child:


  • Teachers meet minimum standards for education and experience.

  • That said, approval doesn’t guarantee teaching excellence. It just means they’re legally qualified.


Attendance Matters. A LOT.


KHDA tracks attendance closely, and schools are judged on it in inspections.


  • Outstanding: 98%+ attendance

  • Very Good: 96%+

  • Good: 94%+

  • Acceptable: 92%+Anything below this is flagged.


What it means for your child:


  • Missing more than a week or two in a school year can drop them into a lower category.

  • Holiday travel during term time almost always counts as unauthorised absence, even if you consider it “educational travel.”

  • Too many absences can trigger warning letters, parent meetings, or even re-enrolment issues in rare cases.


For families who travel a lot:


Frequent trips can push your child below KHDA’s benchmarks quickly. If you must travel during term:


  • Notify the school early.

  • Keep days missed to a minimum.

  • Avoid clashing with inspections, exams, or key school events.If that feels too restrictive, consider distance-learning or homeschooling options that aren’t bound by KHDA’s attendance rules.


Schools Are Businesses (Within Limits)


Most Dubai private schools are for-profit, but KHDA sets guardrails: rules on advertising, fee collection, refunds, and what can (and can’t) be promised to parents.


What it means for your child:


  • That glossy brochure or Instagram ad had to be KHDA-approved.

  • Refund policies, deposits, and payment schedules are regulated—so you have recourse if things go wrong.


Student Wellbeing Is on the Agenda


KHDA’s framework includes health, safety, and wellbeing. Schools are inspected on safeguarding policies, student voice, inclusion, and pastoral care.


What it means for your child:


  • Your child’s physical and emotional safety is a formal inspection area, not just a “nice to have.”

  • Still, how well this is implemented varies greatly from school to school.


The Bottom Line for Parents


KHDA rules are meant to protect students and hold schools accountable, but they also shape the system’s priorities. For example:


  • Inspections push schools to focus on what’s measurable (test results, attendance) over what’s not (creativity, independent thinking).

  • Fee regulations protect families from sudden hikes, but also create pressure on schools to “prove” value through ratings.


As a parent, the best thing you can do is:


  • Understand how KHDA rules work.

  • Ask your school how they meet these requirements.

  • Look beyond ratings and compliance to see if the environment truly supports your child’s growth.


Because at the end of the day, KHDA can regulate standards but only you can decide if a school is the right fit for your child.

 
 
 

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