Children studying the British curriculum will not be forced to skip a year when starting school despite changes to age cut-off rules in the UAE, the Ministry of Education said.
It was earlier announced that the age cut-off for school admissions would shift from August 31 to December 31, with the rule to come into force from the 2026-2027 academic year.
The change is to affect children entering Foundation Stage 1 in the British curriculum, or pre-K in other curriculums, through to Year 2. This meant pupils born between September and December would have been eligible to start school up to four months earlier than under previous rules.
This led to concerns from many parents and education experts that in some cases children would start school at a more advanced level than they might be ready for. But the ministry has stressed that would not be the case.
"Children born between September 1 and December 31 who do not turn three by the start of the academic year may be assessed for readiness to join FS1," it said in a post on social media.
"The assessment and final placement are decided jointly by the school and parents. If the child is not found ready, they may be enrolled in FS1 in the following academic year. Schools and parents may jointly decide whether FS1 or FS2 is the most suitable placement."
Emotional relief
The move was welcomed by parents hoping to send their children to British schools in the UAE.
"I’m feeling extra emotional this morning – a combination of barely sleeping for two weeks and then waking up to news I never really thought would come,” one resident, who has a son born in October 2022, told The National. “My daughter got caught up in the Covid nightmare and missed half of her FS2 year, which we are still playing catch-up with. So, you could say I am quite passionate about the topic."
Mother-of-two Zoya Gregory-Pasha also welcomed the clarification from the ministry. “It’s a great update to have the option be put back into the hands of the parents and schools,” she said. “We are really appreciative of the new clarification. We are happy to call the UAE home, a place where the government prioritises the needs and concerns of citizens.”
Another mother, whose twins were born in December 2022, echoed that sentiment. “What it showed us is if parents aren’t happy, the government listens,” she said.
“This is a very, very big positive for everyone who lives here. It’s a safe environment, it’s a kind environment and it cares for its residents. That’s important."
Last month, The National reported how parents received emails from schools rescinding places in FS1, stating their children should apply for FS2.
She criticised how some schools handled the change to the rules. “The behaviour of schools when this news came out three weeks ago, with them retracting offers like that before clarification, causing so much pain, is unbelievable," she said.
The announcement was also welcomed by principals of British-curriculum schools in the UAE.
“We are delighted with this clarification and with the ministry’s approach to the revised age cut-off for our youngest learners," said Rebecca Coulter, principal of Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park. "The reassurance that children will not be forced to skip a year, and that readiness assessments and placement decisions will be made jointly by schools and parents, places children’s well-being and development at the centre of the policy.
"This approach recognises that children develop at different rates and provides the flexibility schools need to ensure children are placed where they will be happiest, most secure, and most ready to thrive.”
Leaving the decision up to parents and schools proves the regulators listen to concerns, said Fiona Cottam, principal of Hartland International School in Dubai.
"The regulators have always listened to parents. It does look like perhaps the decision was changed because of the voice of the Dubai community," she added. "There's always been fantastic partnerships between the regulators, schools and parents."
The guidance provides reassurance that placement decisions can take account of a child’s readiness rather than relying solely on a fixed cut-off date, said Michael Stewart, primary principal at Gems Wellington Academy, Dubai Silicon Oasis.
"In real terms, this means that schools will need to work closely with families to review placement decisions, which may involve additional conversations, readiness assessments and careful admissions planning," he said.
"In the longer term, this flexibility is likely to support stronger student confidence, well-being and engagement in the early years of school, as children are placed in environments that better match their developmental stage. For schools, it reinforces the importance of high-quality early years provision and responsive teaching that meets a wide range of developmental needs within FS1 and FS2."
