Your kids may be affected by the change in age requirements if they’re starting school in the new academic year…

If your little ones are starting school this year, take note, because the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has just announced a revision for the age of admission for the academic year beginning September 2021.

The announcement was made by KHDA on their official social media channels on February 23.

These changes will be applicable from the start of the 2021/22 academic year in September 2021 and for schools starting in April, this change will be applicable from the start of the 2022/23 academic year in April 2022.

Here are the changes you need to be aware of. 

FS1 or Pre-KG 

Children enrolling in FS1 (Foundation Stage 1) or Pre-KG in schools in September must now be three years of age on or before August 31 of that year.

Those enrolling in Pre-KG in schools in April must be three years old on or before March 31 of that year.

FS2 or KG1

Children enrolling in FS2 (Foundation Stage 2) or KG1 must be four years old on or before August 31 for schools starting in September.

For children enrolling in KG1 in schools starting in April – they must be four years old on or before March 31.

Year 1 or KG2

Children enrolling in Year 1 or KG2 must be five years old on or before August 31 for schools starting in September.

Children enrolling in KG2 in schools starting in April must be five years old on or before March 31.

Grade 1 or Year 2 

Children enrolling must be six years old on or before August 31 for schools starting in September.

You might also like

VOX Cinemas launches sensory friendly screenings across the UAE

For children enrolling in schools starting in April, they must be six years old on or before March 31.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) resolution stipulates that all students currently enrolled at private schools in the UAE are not affected by the change. This includes students who enrol for the final term of the 2020/21 academic year.

No exceptions to the cut-off dates will be given, even if your child was born just a day after the cut-off.

Why was this change made?

This decision to change the age of admission of students is to bring more consistency to the cut-off dates used by schools in the UAE with those used by schools abroad. The new change now follows the same cut-off date as schools in the UK and international British schools.

For more information and for further questions, visit the KHDA website here.

Images: Getty Images