The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has begun a wide-ranging review of academic records in private schools across the emirate, as part of efforts to crack down on grade inflation and protect the integrity of student qualifications.
In the first phase of the review, schools are required to submit detailed Grade 12 records, including transcripts, samples of student work, and grading policies for official inspection.
So far, 12 private schools have been temporarily barred from enrolling students in Grades 11 and 12 until they resolve compliance issues.
Why it matters
ADEK says the move is designed to ensure that grades awarded to students accurately reflect their academic performance, rather than being inflated or inconsistent with national and international standards.
“This initiative promotes fairness, transparency and academic integrity,” ADEK said in a statement.
“Students must earn their qualifications through real achievement, not artificially high marks.”
The review was prompted by findings from ADEK’s routine quality checks, which revealed significant gaps between internal school grades and external benchmark assessments, raising concerns about how accurately some schools are evaluating student performance.
What’s next?
Future phases of the review will expand to include Grades 9 to 11, with schools facing further scrutiny if they fail to align internal assessments with recognised benchmarks. Those who don’t comply may face additional corrective action, ADEK warned.
Impact on families
For parents and students, the review signals a renewed focus on academic standards and a push to ensure qualifications from Abu Dhabi schools are globally credible and trustworthy. It also reassures universities and employers that student transcripts genuinely reflect performance.
The initiative is part of ADEK’s broader commitment to raising the bar across Abu Dhabi’s education sector, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education and future careers.
