Annual School-Parent Contracts Required in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Annual Contracts Mandated for Private Schools and Parents Starting 2025/2026

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) is implementing a new regulation that will significantly alter the collaboration between private schools and parents. Starting from the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, all private schools operating in Abu Dhabi must sign annual agreements with students' parents. This step aims to ensure transparency, shared responsibility, and the well-being of students.

What is the purpose of the new parent-school agreement?

According to the directive introduced by Adek, parents and schools must jointly support children's development. The new contract clearly defines the obligations of both parties and requires parents to accept all school policies.

The goal is not only to provide legal protection for schools but also to ensure that parents are not merely observers but active participants in their children's academic and social development.

Parental Code of Conduct

The regulation includes a "parental code of conduct," which stipulates that parents must support the school's mission, vision, and values. This includes respectful, cooperative communication with school staff, other parents, and of course, the students.

The use of culturally insensitive or defamatory comments, especially on social media, is prohibited. In addition to adhering to the rules, parents are obliged to ensure their children's regular school attendance, timely arrival, and monitoring of academic performance.

The directive clearly states: If a parent severely violates the rules, they may be prohibited from entering the school premises.

Roles of Parents in Learning

Adek emphasizes that parents play a fundamental role in their children's learning. Schools must establish systems that allow direct communication between parents and teachers. Through digital academic reports, regular parent meetings, and continuous updates, parents can continuously monitor their children's progress.

Supporting learning at home is also emphasized, as studying together with the child not only deepens knowledge but strengthens the parent-child relationship.

Promoting Children's Well-being

The new regulation also requires schools to support students' physical and mental well-being, which necessitates the active involvement of parents.

Parents are encouraged to pack healthy meals for their children and adhere to school dietary guidelines. Schools are obligated to provide information on mental health services, including counseling.

Parents should also have the opportunity to provide feedback on issues affecting their children's well-being and are encouraged to support extracurricular activities and the formation of digital learning habits.

Communication and Emergency Notification System

According to the Department of Education, effective communication is crucial. Schools must maintain contact with parents through multiple channels, such as newsletters, SMS, email, and online platforms.

For emergencies, a mass notification system is mandatory, allowing for immediate communication. Schools must archive all written communications according to Adek regulations.

Additional Obligations

Schools must also ensure the following:

- Accurate collection of tuition fees without VAT, as approved by the educational authorities.

- Obtaining parental consent whenever sharing student data with third parties.

- Informing parents about school bus services, the safe boarding and disembarking of children, and the conditions of using non-school buses.

It is crucial that schools, as obligated reporting institutions, report any suspicious circumstances such as regular, unexplained absences or sudden school transfers.

Summary

The new regulation aims to create a closer, trust-based relationship between schools and parents. The annual contract is not merely an administrative formality, but a guarantee that every stakeholder in the child's environment - school, parent, and student - works towards the common goal of the child's growth and well-being under unified principles.

From the 2025/2026 academic year, this will be a requirement for all private schools in Abu Dhabi. Non-compliance will result in sanctions, making early preparation advisable.

(The article is based on a statement from the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).)