Dubai boasts of a diverse culture with individuals from varied nationalities making up 71 percent of the resident population. This diversity is reflected in the city’s education system, with private schools in Dubai offering 17 different curricula, including American, British, Indian, and International Baccalaureate.
The authorities, by rolling out initiatives such as the Education (33) strategy, aim to transform the educational landscape in the city by shifting towards a learner-centric model. Dubai stands out as a premier destination for high-quality education and much of the educational transformation is owed to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
KHDA is a government authority responsible for overseeing private education in Dubai, availing its approval for setting up educational institutions is important. Read this article to get a better idea of KHDA approval in Dubai.
Back to topWhat does KHDA do?
Since its establishment in 2006, private schools in Dubai must obtain the permission and approval of KHDA to operate in the Emirate. It is important for education providers to adhere to the guidelines laid down by KHDA.
With the vision of providing high-quality, accessible education in Dubai for every student, the authority has laid out a framework within which private education institutions and training centers must operate. The authority decides on the evaluation criteria for private schools, required qualification for teachers, and self-assessment rules.
Back to topWhy is KHDA approval important?
In Dubai, over 800 private education institutes have been approved by KHDA. Wondering why KHDA approval is so sought after? Let’s understand.
When you start a school in Dubai, KHDA approval ascertains that the educational institute meets the standards set forth by the authorities. The benefits to obtaining KHDA approval include:
- Credibility
- Higher opportunities for student admissions
- Build trust amongst parents and the community
- Global accreditation
It needs to be mentioned here that a KHDA-approved school is assessed for performance on a yearly basis. The authority uses a six-level scale and rates each school as one of the following:
1. Outstanding
2. Very good
3. Good
4. Acceptable
5. Weak
6. Very weak
These rankings help decide the fee the school charges. A higher rating ensures greater success rate.
Back to topHow to get KHDA Approval?
Now that we have established how invaluable a KHDA approval can be, let us explore the steps involved in obtaining it. You can contact experienced business setup consultants at Commitbiz to ensure it is smooth and hassle-free.
Roughly, there are four major steps in the KHDA approval process:
Step 1: Approach KHDA with your proposal
The first step is to have an initial plan of the educational institution that you want to setup in Dubai. You must then file an application explaining your school’s vision.
KHDA grants approvals for a wide range of education-related activities including early childhood centres, private schools, higher education universities, and training institutes. You must decide on the focus area of your education institute.
With the authority on the lookout for more inclusive and accessible education centres, having a clear idea of how your school will work on making education more learner-centric speeds things up.
Step 2: Provide shareholder information
At this stage, you must provide details regarding the governance of the school, shareholders, and managers. Once you have submitted all the details, KHDA offers additional information and feedback on the process.
Step 3: Submit Registration Plan
The next step involves coming up with a registration plan. It must include every detail, including the proposed location of the school, curriculum, marketing techniques, and the target student demographic among others.
Here, you must also propose a name for the school. This must be done using the nomenclature guidelines set forth by KHDA. You can also decide whether the school will be online or in-person. If you decide on a physical location, you can choose between the Dubai mainland and freezones.
Step 4: Submit supporting documents
You must collate all the important paperwork which includes the school manager’s CV and undertaking, extensive course list, and public signature of a notary signed by each shareholder.
KHDA will provide an initial approval allowing you to appoint the head of the institute and advertise the school. Once you have satisfied all the requirements of the board, Education Services Permit will be provided for you to open the school.
Back to topWhy Commitbiz?
If you are looking to get KHDA approval for your education institute or for opening a training centre in Dubai, our team of experts with in-depth knowledge can help you. Contact us today to get started and obtain KHDA approval in Dubai in a seamless manner.
Back to topDo teachers need to be KHDA-approved in Dubai?
Yes, all teachers appointed in Dubai schools need KHDA approval.
What are the different KHDA criteria?
KHDA has various criteria based on which they decide whether a school provides high-quality education. They include individualised curriculum and assessment methods, inclusive education, and opportunities for students’ personal and social development.
How to start an educational institute in Dubai?
To set up an institute in Dubai, you must follow KHDA guides and obtain approval.
