KHDA inspections are set to return to Dubai schools during the 2026-27 academic year after a two-year pause, but the process will look a little different this time around.
One of the biggest changes is how little notice schools will receive before a visit takes place. Under the updated approach, schools will be given a maximum of 24 hours’ notice before inspectors arrive.
The change is designed to give inspectors a clearer picture of what a school looks like on a normal day rather than after weeks of preparation.
For parents, the return of inspections could mean updated school ratings for the first time in several years. While KHDA ratings are only one factor families consider when choosing a school, they remain one of the most widely used measures of school performance in Dubai.
Not every school will undergo the same type of review.
Some schools will receive a full inspection, which may result in an updated KHDA rating. Others will receive a quality assurance visit focused on reviewing performance, identifying strengths and highlighting areas for further development.
Schools entering their third year of operation will automatically receive a full inspection. More established schools may receive either a full inspection or a quality assurance visit depending on KHDA’s schedule and quality assurance plans.
The 24-hour notice period is perhaps the most significant change for schools. In previous years, inspections were often associated with extensive preparation, including reviewing documentation, updating policies and ensuring evidence was ready for inspectors. Under the revised model, schools will need to maintain that level of readiness throughout the year.
Inspections continue to look at far more than academic results alone. Areas such as teaching and learning, student wellbeing, leadership, inclusion, curriculum delivery and the overall student experience all form part of the review process.
The return of inspections comes as Dubai’s private education sector continues to expand, with growing enrolment numbers and new schools opening across the emirate.
For families, the changes are intended to provide a more up-to-date picture of school performance while giving inspectors the opportunity to see schools operating as they normally would on a day-to-day basis.
More details about inspection schedules and individual school visits are expected to be shared with schools ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.
