Why Education Matters to the UAE Government

What the law says and what it means for your family

1. 1

   Education is part of the Constitution

   Article 17 of the UAE's Constitution stresses the fundamental role of education in the progress of the society and makes education compulsory at primary stages. The Constitution also directs the government to set the necessary schemes for spreading education and eliminating illiteracy.

2. 2

   Free schooling for citizens

   The Constitution makes education free of charge at all stages for citizens throughout the UAE, so that all girls and boys can complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The UAE provides free education to its citizens at all levels in the UAE.

3. 3

   Sending your child to school is a legal duty

   Federal Decree Law No. 39 of 2022 on Compulsory Education obligates the parent or the legal guardian to send their children to school. This is an obligation on the family, not only on the child.

   Documents:Child's IDGuardian's ID
4. 4

   How long schooling is compulsory

   For UAE citizens, education is mandatory from primary school until the completion of their schooling. For expatriate residents, education is mandatory until they finish the primary stage.

5. 5

   What happens if you don't enrol your child

   Failure to enrol the child in school or adhere to the compulsory education period will result in a written warning from the Ministry of Education (MoE) or one of the other educational authorities, within five working days from the date of non-enrolment or non-adherence.

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

Real companies from Google Maps — live ratings and reviews.