The Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that private schools in Abu Dhabi are not allowed to refuse the registration of students with additional educational needs in the schools they choose, provided the school has the capacity to accommodate them according to the appropriate grade/year, based on the principles of Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 concerning the rights of persons with disabilities and its amendments.

The policy on inclusion, which all schools must fully comply with in the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, requires admission procedures to prioritize students with additional educational needs and their siblings attending the same school. Parents must provide original copies of any clinical assessment reports from relevant specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or pediatricians. Any accommodations needed for students to complete the evaluation must be provided. These assessments cannot be used as a reason to refuse school registration. All available information must be used to ensure a safe and equitable educational and physical environment for students with additional educational needs, and to define what constitutes “inability of the school to accommodate.”

The policy emphasizes supporting the transfer of students with additional educational needs, especially those enrolling for the first time, coming from alternative early education providers, specialized educational centers, or homeschooling. If a school finds it unable to meet the needs of any student with additional educational needs, it must issue a “notice of inability” to the Department of Education and Knowledge and the parents within 7 days of the registration decision. The department reserves the right to uphold or cancel the notice based on evidence from the school and other sources. Schools must make reasonable adjustments and accommodations to enable the acceptance of all students.

Schools must re-register all students for the new academic year. If a parent wishes to have their child repeat a grade, approval from the department is required, and the school must submit a request along with the child’s medical report and documented learning plan.

Students with additional needs attend public education system schools alongside their peers, but may be considered for alternative programs if they meet the admission criteria. If a school believes a student requires more specialized care, it must contact the department before communicating with parents to determine if the student meets the criteria for specialized education and to identify the most suitable placement if available.

In cases where an Emirati student is diagnosed with severe autism, the school may recommend specialized education only in certain cases.

Schools may request additional fees if the student’s needs require specialized intervention and support beyond what the school can provide. The school must provide parents with a quarterly statement detailing the distribution of additional fees and set a fee cap so that parents do not pay more than 50% of the tuition fees.

If the payment cap is insufficient to cover costs in schools with low to very low fee ranges, these schools may charge fees exceeding 50% of tuition fees, provided they obtain parental approval.

The department confirmed that non-compliance with this policy will expose the school to legal accountability and penalties under the department’s regulations, policies, and requirements.