Abu Dhabi to make textbook, school uniform fees optional
THE Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced that starting from the 2025-26 academic year, all private schools will be required to comply with a new tuition fee policy.
The policy divides school fees into six components and grants parents the option to opt out of certain costs related to devices, textbooks and school uniforms. Additionally, schools will be allowed to collect tuition fees in up to 10 instalments.
The new policy, distributed to all private schools in Abu Dhabi, aims to establish a clear, transparent and precise framework for regulating school fees.
It seeks to ensure that tuition costs remain reasonable, provide value for money, reflect the quality of education, accommodate various socioeconomic groups and clarify the structure and rationale behind fee increases.
The policy aims to facilitate structured and timely tuition payments for parents while fostering a favourable environment for school market growth and investor engagement.
Fee exemptions
ADEK has emphasised that schools must exempt parents from certain fee components such as devices, textbooks and uniforms if students opt to use second-hand materials (e.g., resold or donated items) that meet the school’s current requirements, including valid book editions and the designated colours or designs of the uniform.
Fee transparency
Private schools are required to disclose their approved fee structures on their websites and to publish the ADEK-certified fee schedule starting from the 2025-26 academic year.
Schools must strictly adhere to the fee levels authorised by ADEK and make detailed tuition payment schedules available online.
Agreements with parents
Schools are permitted to enter agreements or contracts with parents regarding tuition payment schedules.
They are required to allow at least three equal instalments per academic year, with a maximum of 10. Schools may also collect the first instalment up to one month before the academic year begins.
Re-registration fees
ADEK has granted schools the right to charge a re-registration fee of up to 5 per cent of the approved tuition fees, applicable only to currently enrolled students.
Schools may collect these fees up to four months before the start of the new academic year.
However, any re-registration fees must be deducted from the student’s final tuition fees. Schools are also prohibited from requesting or accepting any additional financial guarantees from parents as a substitute for tuition payments.
Late payment policy
Schools must establish a fair, transparent, and reliable policy for handling late or non-payment of fees while respecting parents’ rights to reasonable and structured payment plans without punitive measures.
Schools must also maintain confidentiality regarding payment delays to protect students from undue attention or embarrassment.
Direct communication with students about unpaid fees is strictly prohibited even if it results in enrolment suspension.
Schools are required to notify parents in writing at least three months before the end of the academic year about the consequences of non-payment on their child’s re-enrolment for the following year.
Additionally, schools are prohibited from preventing students from taking exams due to unpaid fees.
Penalties for non-payment
ADEK has outlined measures schools may take in cases of late or unpaid tuition fees.
These include issuing three consecutive warning notices to parents, with at least a one-week gap between each notice.
Schools may suspend a student’s enrolment for up to three days following the issuance of the third warning, but this suspension can only occur once per academic term.
Furthermore, schools are allowed to withhold exam results, transfer certificates, or restrict student transfers within the electronic Student Information System (eSIS) until all outstanding fees are settled.
However, they may not prevent students from attending school or sitting for exams due to unpaid fees.
