Failure to pay tuition fees does not prevent students from taking exams: ADEK

Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has affirmed that schools are not allowed to prevent students from attending any exams as a result of late or non-payment of tuition fees, stressing the need for schools to abide by the procedures taken.

The procedures include issuing 3 consecutive warning notices to parents, with at least a week between each one, in response to late or non-payment of tuition fees, it added, noting that schools would be allowed to suspend student registration for up to 3 days after the three consecutive warning notices had been issued for only once in each semester.

Schools are also allowed to withhold exam scores and transfer certificates, block transfers on the Student Information System (eSIS) or withhold student re-enrollment until all outstanding fees are settled.

Yet, schools must inform parents in writing at least 3 months before the end of the academic year of the consequences of non-re-enrollment unless outstanding fees are settled.

All schools must be fully compliant with this policy from the beginning of the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year and publish a clear, transparent, reliable and fair policy on their websites that explains how they deal with cases of non-payment or late payment of tuition fees.

Meanwhile, ADEK announced its priorities for the coming phase in the private education sector together with new strategies for developing private education in Abu Dhabi with a view to complying with the wise leadership’s vision in preparing confident generations capable of keeping pace with changes and leading innovation and technological progress.

This approach is based on building a future-ready education system that empowers students to acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

It rests on four priorities; namely, strengthening national identity and Emirati values, supporting students’ health, safety and quality of life, developing future skills and fostering a comprehensive and high-quality education system based on teacher competence and excellence.