6 days ago
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).
