Private schools in Abu Dhabi can now temporarily suspend operations for a minimum of one year and up to three academic years, subject to prior approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

The updated school licensing policy, now available on ADEK’s official website, outlines a detailed framework for temporary closures, including application procedures, stakeholder communication, and legal obligations.

How Temporary Closures Will Work

Schools seeking to suspend operations must formally request approval from ADEK at least six months before the end of the academic year. The request must include:

• A clear reason for the temporary closure
• The intended closure date (which must align with the academic year’s end)
• Plans to support student transfers to other schools
• A communication strategy for parents, staff, and stakeholders

Once approved, schools are required to notify all stakeholders within seven days. If a school remains closed beyond three academic years, its licence will be automatically revoked. Reopening would then require reapplying for a new licence.

Permanent closures are also permitted through a separate formal request process.

8 Key Responsibilities for Temporarily Closing Schools

Schools approved for temporary closure must fulfil eight key obligations:

1. Honour all legal and contractual obligations to staff, students, and parents
2. Clear all legal and financial obligations
3. Settle dues with staff per UAE labour laws
4. Refund unearned tuition fees to parents
5. Remove transfer restrictions via the eSIS system
6. Cancel staff work permits through the PASS system at least 20 working days before closure
7. Submit all student records to ADEK within 20 working days of closure
8. Issue final academic reports and transfer certificates to parents

ADEK may also enforce a forced closure and revoke a school’s licence if it fails to comply with these regulations.

Licence Types Explained

ADEK issues three types of licences under the Private Schools Regulatory Framework (Executive Council Resolution No. 26 of 2013):

1. Provisional Licence

• Granted to new schools
• Valid for one academic year, renewable once
• Cannot be extended beyond one year from school start date
• Renewal must be requested 60 days before expiry

2. General Licence

• Issued after a school passes an inspection with a rating of at least “acceptable”
• Valid for two years
• Renewal applications must be submitted at least 60 days in advance

3. Accredited Licence

• Granted, following a comprehensive inspection by ADEK or a third party
• Valid for up to five years
• Only for schools meeting ADEK’s minimum accreditation standards

Revocation Authority

ADEK’s Director General retains the right to revoke any type of licence—Provisional, General, or Accredited—if a school fails to meet regulatory requirements.

The updated licensing policy came into effect in Term 1 of the 2024–2025 academic year. Full compliance is expected by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.

Job hunting in the UAE or hiring new talent? A new digital initiative is streamlining the process of verifying academic qualifications, making it faster and more reliable for both employers and job seekers.

Launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), the Academic Qualification Verification Project allows private sector employers to verify university degrees electronically,  whether earned in the UAE or abroad.

The service is part of a broader push to modernise employment services, reduce paperwork, and ensure fair, transparent hiring in the UAE’s competitive job market.

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A Step Towards Smart Government

The initiative supports the UAE’s broader digital transformation goals, helping to:

• Cut down on bureaucracy
• Deliver faster government services
• Ensure a skilled and qualified workforce
• Strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for investment and talent

“This is part of our effort to build a more efficient labour market,” said Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE.
“By integrating this system into work permit applications, we ensure qualifications are legitimate and hiring is based on verified skills.”

The project also ties into the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, designed to simplify public services and enhance customer satisfaction.

Who Can Use the Service?

The new verification system currently applies to:

• Private sector employers
• Job seekers with degrees from outside the UAE
• Individuals classified under skill levels 1 to 4 according to the National Qualifications Framework

Users can access the service via:

• MoHRE’s website
• Smart app
• Business service centres across the UAE

A one-time fee will apply for verification.

In the next phase, the service will also include degrees issued inside the UAE for the same skill levels.

Why This Matters

According to Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary at MoHESR, the service ensures the authenticity and credibility of academic qualifications, helping industries hire the right people for the right jobs.
It also:

• Reduces fraudulent job applications
• Promotes reliable hiring practices
• Supports national competitiveness
• Aligns education outcomes with labour market needs

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is also supporting the digital infrastructure behind the project.

Abu Dhabi is set to introduce the region’s first dual-certified Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design through a partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi University (ADU), and leading French institution Rubika.

Launching in the upcoming academic year, the programme will offer students a globally competitive curriculum in game design, combining academic training with industry integration.

ADU will host the course on campus, Rubika will provide curriculum oversight and faculty training, and DCT Abu Dhabi will facilitate industry connections and fund up to 140 scholarships over six years.

The initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s strategy to grow its creative industries and build a talent pipeline for the region’s expanding gaming sector. Through Abu Dhabi Gaming, students will also have access to internships, mentorships, and partnerships with local studios