Adopting an amendment to the admission age for kindergarten and first grade, starting from 2026-2027

The Education, Human Development and Community Council adopted an amendment resolution age Admission to kindergarten and first grade in public and private schools, to be implemented starting this year Academic 2026–2027, And that in A framework for reviewing educational policies in line with educational developments and community needs, and enhances the quality of early education and the sustainability of its outcomes, within an approach of continuous development of evidence-based educational systems..

The decision came based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education following a comprehensive technical and educational review based on the analysis of national data, international comparisons, and the study of academic performance indicators, in addition to the input of local educational authorities, in a way that supports the development of educational policies according to scientific methodologies based on study, analysis, and data..

According to the decision, a date was adopted 31 December of the year of enrollment as the official date for calculating the age of admission to schools and kindergartens whose academic year begins in the months of August or September, with the date still applied. 31 March for schools and kindergartens whose academic year begins in April, according to their approved system, provided that these dates are effective starting from General Academic 2026–2027 on Students Newcomers in Kindergarten and first grade levels.

In order for students to be eligible for admission, they must have reached the required age at the latest 31 December of the year of admission, as follows: The preparatory year, “First Preparatory Stage, British Curriculum,” “Junior Stage, French Curriculum,” or “Pre-Kindergarten, International Foreign Curriculum.” The student completes 3 years by 31 December of the year of enrollment, while the first kindergarten is “the second preparatory stage for the British curriculum”, or “the intermediate stage for the French curriculum” or “the first kindergarten for the international foreign curriculum” the student completes 4 years by 31 December of the year of enrollment, and for the second kindergarten “first year British curriculum” or “senior stage French curriculum” or “second kindergarten international foreign curriculum” the student is 5 years by 31 December of the year of enrollment, while the first year “second year British curriculum” or “preparatory year French curriculum” or “first year international foreign curriculum” the student completes 6 years by 31 December of the year of enrollment.

This amendment applies to new students starting the academic year 2026–2027without resulting in any change to the conditions of currently registered students, who will continue their educational journey in accordance with the policies in force upon their first registration..

In cases of students moving between schools, or between different curricula (such as British, American, or… Others from international curricula), or their arrival from outside the country, Done to set the line Academic appropriate For the student Based on the last row Study Successfully completed, and the level of academic progress achieved, in accordance with the approved educational curriculum equivalency procedures.

This update is based on extensive national and international research on a child’s readiness to enroll in early education, which included major developmental aspects, such as cognitive abilities, social and emotional skills, language, and motor skills. Analysis showed that a child’s school readiness depends on an integrated set of developmental indicators, and not on chronological age alone..

The review also included an analysis of a national database that includes more than 39000 A student of children who enrolled in education at the age of three, four, or five under the previous system, as academic performance data showed that there was no significant negative impact of simple age differences on the academic achievement or behavioral development of children, in light of supportive educational environments..

The decision aims to enhance justice and equal opportunities in enrolling in education, and reduce the disparity in admission opportunities among children of the same age, in line with the start dates of the school year. And priorities Developmental Nationalism And better Practices Global in area education Early.

The Education, Human Development and Society Council praised the cooperation and coordination between the Ministry of Education and various educational bodies, appreciating the constructive role played by schools, decision makers, researchers, and parents in supporting the development of educational policies, which contributes to enhancing the quality of educational outcomes and achieving the development goals of the education sector in the UAE..

The Ministry of Education also praised the contributions of the educational community in enriching the study and analysis process, stressing its commitment to continuing to involve partners in adopting evidence-based practices, enhancing the quality of early education, and consolidating the partnership between the family and the school..