UAE President Clears up to Dh155m in Pupil Debt at Government Schools

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed has taken decisive action to alleviate the financial burden on pupils attending government schools in the UAE by clearing up to Dh155 million in outstanding fees.

The directive, issued by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed, aims to relieve pupils living in the Emirates of owed fees, particularly those enrolled in government schools.

While government education is predominantly free for most pupils, up to 20 per cent of students are subject to fees. Benefiting from this initiative are pupils registered at government-run schools, with the debt accrued up to the academic year 2023-2024 set to be eradicated, as reported by the state news agency Wam.

The initiative will be executed in collaboration with the Emirates School Education Foundation. In the UAE, government-run schools offer free education to pupils who meet specific criteria, including Emirati children, UAE passport holders, citizens of GCC countries and children of individuals holding decrees issued by Sheikh Mohamed.

For those not falling within these categories, government school attendance is possible for a tuition fee of Dh6,000, provided certain conditions are met and acceptance is granted:

• Registration is limited to Years 2 through 12.
• The guardian must be employed in a government, semi-government, or local entity.
• The pupil's grades in Arabic, English, and mathematics must not fall below 85 per cent.
• Both the pupil and their guardian must possess valid residence permits.
• The proportion of expatriate pupils should not exceed 20 per cent in each government school and class.

Instruction at government schools is predominantly conducted in Arabic for all subjects, with English taught as a secondary language.

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