Latest news with #AbuDhabiDepartmentofEducationandKnowledge
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
New Policy: Abu Dhabi Schools Can Halt Operations For Up To 3 Years
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has confirmed that private schools in the emirate may temporarily suspend operations for a minimum of one academic year and up to a maximum of three academic years, subject to prior approval from the Department. The revised school licensing policy, now available on ADEK's official website, provides detailed guidance on the temporary closure process and associated responsibilities. According to the policy, any school intending to temporarily close must submit a formal request addressing four key components: The reason for closure The proposed date of closure (which must coincide with the end of the academic year) Proposed arrangements to facilitate the transfer of students to other schools Submission of the request no less than six months before the academic year concludes Once ADEK grants approval, the school is required to inform all stakeholders—including staff and parents—within seven days. If a school remains closed for longer than three academic years, its licence will be automatically revoked. To resume operations, it must apply for a new licence. Permanent closure is also permitted, provided the school submits a formal cancellation request to the Department. Schools granted approval for temporary closure must meet the following eight obligations: Fulfil all legal and contractual obligations towards staff, parents, students, and external parties Obtain all required legal and financial clearances Settle outstanding dues to staff in accordance with contract terms and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's regulations Refund any unearned fees to parents Remove any transfer restrictions on students through the Electronic Student Information System (eSIS) Cancel staff work permits via the Private Schools Staff System (PASS) at least 20 working days prior to closure Submit all student records and files to ADEK within 20 working days of the closure date Provide parents with their children's academic reports and transfer certificates In the case of voluntary permanent closure, schools must formally request the cancellation of their licence in accordance with ADEK's policy. If a school wishes to resume operations after a temporary suspension, it must reapply and fulfil all licensing requirements. In instances of non-compliance, ADEK may enforce a forced closure and revoke the school's licence, as stipulated in its compliance policy. As outlined in Article (8) of the Private Schools Regulatory Framework—introduced under Executive Council Resolution No. (26) of 2013—ADEK issues three categories of licences for private schools: A Provisional Licence may be issued to new schools upon submission of a complete and compliant application, in line with the Private Schools Policy and Guidelines Manual. This licence is valid for one academic year and may be renewed once, subject to the school's adherence to its approved operational plan and any additional conditions imposed by ADEK. Schools seeking to renew their Provisional Licence must apply at least 60 days before the licence expires. ADEK may inspect the school to assess its progress. Notably, the provisional period cannot extend beyond one academic year from the commencement of educational activities. This updated policy came into effect in the first term of the 2024/2025 academic year. Full compliance is expected by the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year. Schools are required to obtain a General Licence within two years of starting operations. This licence, valid for two years, is granted to schools that have undergone inspection and received a minimum rating of 'acceptable.' Renewal applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to expiry, and ADEK reserves the right to conduct inspections as part of the review process. An Accredited Licence may be issued following a comprehensive inspection and evaluation by ADEK or an authorised third party. To qualify, a school must meet ADEK's minimum accreditation standards. This type of licence is valid for up to five years. The Director General of ADEK is authorised to revoke any type of school licence—Provisional, General, or Accredited—at any time if the institution fails to comply with the requirements set out in Executive Council Resolution No. (26).
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Abu Dhabi private schools can suspend operations for up to 3 years after providing valid reasons
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has affirmed that private schools are permitted to temporarily suspend their operations for a period of at least one academic year and up to three academic years, provided they obtain approval from the department. ADEK clarified that schools opting for temporary closure (1-3 years) must adhere to the requirements outlined in the department's licencing guide. Schools exceeding the maximum temporary suspension period of three academic years will have their licences automatically revoked by ADEK. In such cases, schools must reapply for a licence if they wish to resume operations. Regarding permanent voluntary closure and licence revocation, schools have the right to cease operations permanently after submitting a request. ADEK emphasised that schools seeking temporary or permanent closure must submit an application meeting four requirements: the reason for closure, the proposed closure date, arrangements to facilitate student transfers to other schools, and submission of the application at least six months before the end of the academic year. Additionally, schools must also notify relevant parties, employees, and parents within seven days of receiving ADEK's approval. ADEK outlined additional closure requirements including fulfilling all legal and contractual obligations toward employees, parents, students, and external parties, obtaining legal and financial clearances, paying all dues to employees in accordance with contract terms and Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation requirements, refunding any unearned fees collected from parents, lifting transfer restrictions on the Student Data System (eSIS) and cancel work permits for school staff on the Private School Staff Data System (PASS) at least 20 working days before closure, submitting all student records and files to ADEK within 20 working days of closure and providing relevant student reports and transfer certificates to parents. For permanent voluntary closure, schools must apply for licence revocation in line with this policy. ADEK further explained that under the licencing policy, schools permitted to resume operations must reapply for a licence whose approval depends on the school meeting ADEK's requirements. In cases of forced closure and licence revocation, ADEK may require a school to cease operations in accordance with its policy, leading to licence cancellation. The department affirmed that this policy came into effect at the start of the 2024/2025 academic year (first semester).
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
33,000+ students participate in 4th Abu Dhabi Sports Championship
21 May 2025 13:44 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship for Schools and Universities has marked its biggest and most successful season yet, with more than 33,000 students from 389 schools and 13 universities across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region, and Al Dhafra competed across 18 sports disciplines through a series of competitions held from November 2024 to May closing awards ceremony, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), was attended by the leadership from across the three entities. Outstanding schools were recognised for their participation and performance through a dedicated championship leaderboard featuring public, private, and charter schools. Over 500 students were celebrated as part of the medal ceremony as well, recognised for their performance and their sportsmanship and perseverance throughout the flagship event welcomed more than 10,000 attendees, including families, sports enthusiasts, and members of the wider community. Visitors experienced student competitions and enjoyed student-led entertainment, live performances, and a fan zone featuring tech-powered challenges and interactive Bashaer AlMatrooshi, Executive Director – Talent Enablement Sector at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), said: 'This championship reflects our unwavering commitment to nurturing student potential through sports." He added, "With over 33,000 participants, this was our biggest and most inspiring edition yet. We are proud of every student who competed, and especially those who earned recognition for their talent and determination. These students represent the best of Abu Dhabi's future.'For his part, Talal Mustafa Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), said: "The Abu Dhabi Sports Championship reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the school and university sports ecosystem, which is the foundation for building a promising generation of athletes. Al Hashemi further added, "The record-breaking participation and strong engagement this season confirm the tremendous potential that exists among our youth. We are proud to partner with ADEK and the Ministry of Education on this pioneering initiative that promotes a culture of sports among students and provides a platform to discover and nurture talent that will serve the future of sports in the UAE." The championship comes as part of ADEK's broader talent development program. It brings to life the vision behind ADEK's Physical Education and School Sports Policy; to foster a culture of activity and well-being in schools through a comprehensive PE curriculum, a physical literacy framework, and active parent engagement.
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Global and Local Experts gather at ADEK's Counselors Forum to strengthen Student Career & University Guidance across Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) successfully concluded the fifth Counselors Forum 2025, which took place at Khalifa University on April 30, 2025. The event welcomed over 300 Career and University Guidance Counselors across private, charter and public schools, as well as representatives from 16 embassies, 10 leading industry experts, 28 universities and educational institutions, and several government and private entities, as well as private schools - all to advance Career and University (CU) Guidance Counselors across Abu Dhabi, equipping them with the latest resources, trends, and strategies to effectively support students on exploring career interests and post-secondary pathways. Driven by a common goal, the Forum brought to life the vision behind ADEK's Career and University Guidance Policy which has been in effect since 2022 and is designed to ensure every student in Abu Dhabi has access to consistent, high-quality, and inclusive guidance. As counselors engaged in peer mentoring, explored university pathways, and connected with local stakeholders, they were actively living the policy's goals. From discussions on empowering students with diverse learning needs including Students of Determination, to learning about government scholarships and admissions trends, the forum echoed the policy's call for schools to appoint qualified CU Guidance Counselors as early as grade 8/year 9, actively engage with parents and build strong partnerships with universities and employers, as well as committing to continuous professional development. To foster these partnerships, the Forum brought together representatives from key partners entities such as Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, ADNOC, ADIA, College Board, British Council, and Immerse Education, and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), were among the organizations who participated during the 2025 edition of the event. The forum wasn't just a professional gathering — it was a meaningful reflection of the policy in action, shaping a future where every student is supported to reach their full potential. About Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is the Education Sector regulator across the Emirate. It oversees and provides services throughout a learner's journey from early education to university and beyond. It also champions inclusivity for People of Determination in the mainstream schooling system and by providing specialized schools. Across Early Childhood and K-12, ADEK licenses and regulates nurseries and private schools in Abu Dhabi while also legislating, mandating, and managing its own Charter Schools and 2 schools for People of Determination. ADEK also annually provides distinguished Abu Dhabi students with full scholarships and support to study at the best universities around the world. In addition, the Department audits and enhances the delivery of Higher Education in Abu Dhabi, attracting Higher Education Institutions to open the required Program or schools that serve Abu Dhabi's needs while championing a student and faculty-friendly ecosystem in the Emirate. With a vision to Empower Education. Empower Minds. Empower the Future, ADEK recognizes that every learner is different, and a diversity of teaching methods are essential for students to succeed. To that effect, ADEK partners with stakeholders to enable a great education system to flourish in Abu Dhabi and nurture future-ready graduates who have the 21st-century skills required to sustain and carry forward Abu Dhabi's vision.
Arabian Business
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
British curriculum
British curriculum UAE-listed education provider Taaleem secures KHDA approval and 50,000 sqm site for second Harrow International School in Dubai Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge Taaleem said it holds exclusive rights to own and operate Harrow International Schools across the GCC and expects to announce another one in the UAE later this year British curriculum The agreement, effective from June 2024, covers the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait British curriculum The offering saw demand particularly from investors in the UAE and internationally British curriculum Taaleem aims to raise AED 750 million through the IPO Abu Dhabi Repton Abu Dhabi had 940 students, teachers and staff participate in the record-breaking event British curriculum Deal further expands the presence of Britus Education in the Tunisian market Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge British and American curriculum schools are slated for completion by the 2020/2021 academic year
