Ministry of Education manages registration of private schools in the UAE except in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi, Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai and Sharjah Private Education Authority are responsible for registration of private schools in the respective emirates. Only UAE nationals and companies where a national is its 51% owner can apply to start a school.
‘Federal Decree Law No. 18 of 2020 on Private Education’ (PDF, 4056 KB, available in Arabic only) organises the educational process in the UAE’s private schools. It regulates the licensing of private schools, the approval of educational curricula and the safety of students.
Article 11 of the Decree Law outlines certain obligations that private schools must comply with. The obligations include:
to Ministry of Education (MoE) or the local education authority
Further, private schools cannot raise or change educational fees or add extra fees to its activities unless it has the approval of MOE or the local education authority first.
They must have a policy for student affairs that includes equality and non-discrimination, professional treatment of students and parents, and a supportive environment for students of determination i.e. students with mental or physical disabilities.
School management is responsible for keeping the students safe during the academic day, whether they are inside the school, on its facilities, on buses or outside its premises while being engaged in any of the school’s activities.
Schools must comply with the unified Code of Conduct issued by MoE, or other local education authority.
The law mentions fines and penalties for violating its provisions.
Ministry of Education is responsible for licensing private schools in the UAE (except in the emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah). The following are the conditions required to be met for issuing a licence for a new school:
Requirements for a private school
These are the requirements to be followed by a private school that is applying for a licence.
The school’s location should be suitable for the required activities as per the related executive regulation
The school building should be suitable for educational and training activities and compliant with all health, safety and security conditions
School business shall be limited to related educational and training activities.
Conditions to be met by the applicant
These are the requirements to be followed by an applicant applying to set up a private school.
The applicant has to be a UAE citizen
His age should not be less than 25 years
He must have full civil capacity
He should not have been sentenced to prison for a misdemeanour or a dishonouring or distrust crime, unless he/she is redressed according to law
He has to be able to pay financial liabilities of the school.
Conditions to be met by national companies seeking to establish private educational institutes
Related links
Request to open a private school – Ministry of Education
Cabinet decision No. 29 of 2008 on the Executive Regulation of Private Education (Arabic) – Ministry of Justice
Department of Education and Knowledge is responsible for licensing schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. For more information about private school licensing in Abu Dhabi refer to 'Organising Regulations of Private Schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi'- In Arabic (PDF- 27813 KB).
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Knowledge and Human Development Authority is responsible for licensing private schools in the emirate. Learn more about registration of private schools in the emirate of Dubai at the following links:
Ministry of Education is responsible for licensing higher educational institutes in all emirates. Licensing higher educational institutes is subject to the following conditions:
The application for licensing higher educational institutes goes through some phases. They are:
Related links
29 Oct 2024
