Half of Abu Dhabi parents hire private tutors, survey finds

ABU DHABI // Almost half the parents in the capital send their children for after-school tutoring, despite many tutors operating illegally.

A survey by the Abu Dhabi Education Council this year found 20,775 parents (47 per cent) use private tutors for Arabic, English, mathematics and science.

More than 50,000 parents have responded to Adec's questionnaire, which rates quality of education and schools in the emirate.
Full results of the survey will be announced at the end of the month.

Private tutoring by expatriates is illegal because visa rules state no one can do paid work for anyone other than their sponsor, but is hard to regulate.

Many schoolteachers tutor after school for extra income. Private lessons can cost between Dh100 and Dh200 an hour, with teachers increasing their rates during examination time.

There are also licensed centres that offer coaching after school in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

While many pupils need extra academic support, parents should be wary of unscrupulous tutors, said Joanna Lynch, the director of The Tutoring Centre in Dubai.

“Families need to be cautious for their child’s safety and also verify the qualifications of such tutors,” said Ms Lynch.

She said registered centres such as hers offered programmes to hone skills.

“We do not fix their immediate problem, like their academic gap at school, but instead address their skill gaps in reading, writing and maths,” Ms Lynch said.

Some schools have developed after-school programmes to assist children in key subjects.

Dr Masood Badri, the executive director of research, planning and performance management at Adec, said parents had provided valuable feedback to improve the education system.

aahmed@thenational.ae

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.