UAE Introduces New School Enrollment Rules

New Age Rules for School Enrollment in UAE: What It Means for Parents?

The educational system in the United Arab Emirates has undergone changes once again, significantly impacting parental decisions and children's schooling opportunities. According to the new enrollment rules for the 2026–27 academic year, the age eligibility system has been modified, and the enrollment period has been set. The aim is to create a more uniform, predictable, and equitable educational system, taking into account children's development levels and family needs.

Enrollment Period: When to Apply?

The UAE Ministry of Education has officially announced that enrollment for the 2026–27 academic year will start on February 9, 2026, and run until March 6. Enrollment applies to public schools and is exclusively available to Emirati citizens. During this period, parents have the option to register their children in one of four categories: new students, transfers from private schools, newcomers from other countries, or transfers between public schools.

The ministry emphasizes that strictly adhering to the enrollment deadline is crucial, as it allows schools to prepare in advance: distributing students by geographic zones, planning the teaching staff, distributing textbooks, and organizing school bus services.

Details of the New Age Regulation

From the 2026–27 school year, the age-related requirements for school enrollment will be modified as follows:

Children born between January 1 and December 31, 2022, who turn four years old by December 31, 2026, will be eligible to start KG1 (first year of kindergarten).

Children turning five by December 31 and born in 2021 can enroll in KG2.

Children born in 2020 who turn six by December 31 can enroll in Grade 1.

The new policy also pays special attention to children who were not eligible for enrollment during the 2025–26 school year because their birthdays fell between September 1 and December 31. Parents can now choose whether their children should begin their studies in KG1 or KG2 in such cases.

New Development: Pre-Kindergarten Starts at Three Years Old

The most significant change, stemming from a decision by the Human Development and Community Council, is that children can begin the Pre-KG program at the age of three, provided they turn three in the given school year. Previously, the age limit was August 31, but it has now been extended to December 31, allowing many children born at the end of the year to start kindergarten earlier.

This shift benefits many families, as children can start school earlier, thus developing their social and cognitive skills faster. However, the decision might override previously made family plans based on the August deadline. Some families have indicated that they need to rethink the enrollment process as their children might advance to a higher grade level sooner or find themselves in a position that does not fit the original plan.

How to Apply?

Parents can complete the enrollment process through the Ministry of Education's official website or the UAE MoE application. The ministry expressly suggests that parents check and update the information related to their digital identity and select the school bus service in due time. This is particularly important as the availability of transport often influences the assurance of children's school commute from the start of the academic year.

Family Reactions and Adaptation

While the new regulation aims to create a fairer system, the sudden change has introduced some uncertainty in parents' lives. Some are happy with the earlier start option, while others are concerned that their child might be too young for the next level. Flexibility is also needed from the schools, as not all students develop at the same pace, even if they are eligible for a specific grade based on age.

Summary

The newly introduced school enrollment rules in UAE, starting from 2026–27, are standardizing and expanding age-based eligibility, particularly focusing on children born late in the year. This step also means that parents need to plan ahead and stay informed through official platforms. The new rules affect not just children's school starting but may also require families to rethink their lives, especially those who previously counted on different deadlines. Successful enrollment requires precise timing, keeping online data up-to-date, and flexibility in adapting to changes.