Dubai – June 8, 2026: As part of its commitment to strengthening community participation in shaping education policies and programmes, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced the expansion of its council model to include parents and educators, building on the successful launch of the Dubai Students Council during the 2025-26 academic year.
The Dubai Students Council, which currently comprises 16 students from Grades 9 to 12 representing a range of curricula and backgrounds, was established to ensure student perspectives are reflected in the development of Dubai’s private education sector. KHDA will now launch the Dubai Parents Council and Dubai Educators Council at the start of the 2026-27 academic year, further strengthening the education community’s role in shaping the future of learning in Dubai.
KHDA received 152 applications for the Dubai Parents Council and 160 for the Dubai Educators Council, including those from Emirati parents and educators. The final composition of both councils will be determined through a transparent, evidence-based selection process to ensure fairness, diversity, and broad representation.
The Dubai Parents Council will comprise 15 representatives from private schools across the emirate, ensuring broad and inclusive representation of Dubai’s parent community. The Dubai Educators Council will also comprise 15 members.
Both councils will serve as collaborative platforms for the private school and early childhood education community, creating opportunities for direct engagement with KHDA and enabling parents and educators to contribute as strategic partners in enhancing education quality in line with Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.
Dr Amna Almaazmi, CEO of the Growth and Human Development Sector at KHDA, said: “The Education 33 Strategy is grounded in the belief that students thrive when educators and parents are actively engaged in their learning journey. By empowering those closest to our learners to share their perspectives and contribute to decision-making, we are building a more connected, collaborative, and future-focused education system. The creation of the Dubai Parents Council and Dubai Educators Council reflects our commitment to ensuring that parents and educators are not only valued partners in every learner’s journey but also active contributors to the policies, programmes, and initiatives that shape education in Dubai.”
She added: “The response from the education community to the Dubai Student Council has demonstrated the value of creating meaningful opportunities for participation. Students have shown that their insights can help drive positive change, and we look forward to seeing parents and educators bring equally valuable perspectives through these new councils. Together, they will strengthen our education ecosystem and help achieve even better outcomes for learners across Dubai.”
The three councils also align with key E33 initiatives to empower students, educators, and families, including Leaders of Tomorrow, Pathway Partners, and All Rise.
Community voice
Since its launch during the 2025-26 academic year, the Dubai Students Council has played an important role in amplifying student voice and ensuring that learners have a meaningful platform to contribute to the development of education policies and initiatives within Dubai’s private education sector.
The council has helped promote a more inclusive, innovative, and responsive learning environment that reflects the needs and aspirations of students and the wider community. During the academic year, council members held 16 internal meetings focused on strategic planning and implementation, launched an interactive platform to gather student feedback and transform ideas into practical initiatives, and developed a dedicated newsletter to strengthen communication and engagement.
The Dubai Parents Council will provide a dedicated platform for parents to share their perspectives and play a more active role in shaping Dubai’s private education landscape. The council will bring together parents, schools, and KHDA to strengthen dialogue and partnerships and to gather parents’ perspectives on issues such as wellbeing, inclusion, and community engagement.
Representing both Emirati and expatriate communities, council members will work with KHDA to help shape policies and initiatives that support student learning, family wellbeing, and the future of education in Dubai.
The Dubai Educators Council will provide a formal platform for educators to share evidence-based insights from classroom practice and educational leadership.
Council members will contribute to developing policies, programmes, and initiatives that support student learning, wellbeing, and inclusion, as well as teacher-related matters, while helping to ensure that educational decision-making remains informed by the experiences of those who work most closely with learners.
Memberships of all councils will be voluntary and unpaid, with appointments lasting one year from the date of appointment. Members may apply for a second term, subject to performance and continued eligibility.