Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree-Law on Private Education
- Law Type: Federal Decree-Law
- Law Number: [18] of 2020
- Issued Date: 27 Sep 2020
- Effective Date: 30 Mar 2021
- Official Gazette: No. 687
- Sector: Education
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 78
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 1
Summary
This Federal Decree-Law regulates the private education sector in the United Arab Emirates. Its primary purpose is to raise the quality of education in private schools and attract the best investments in private education. The law sets out detailed requirements for obtaining a license to operate a private school, including conditions for natural and legal person applicants. It also imposes various obligations on private schools, such as appointing qualified staff, maintaining academic quality, and adhering to national compliance and quality frameworks. The law empowers the Ministry of Education and local Education Authorities to oversee and enforce its provisions. Businesses and individuals operating or seeking to establish private schools in the UAE must comply with this comprehensive legislation. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Arts. 1-37)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Federal Decree-Law on Private Education applies to all private schools in the UAE. Its key objectives are: (1) regulating the educational process in private schools; (2) raising the quality of education and improving the educational environment in private schools; (3) attracting investments in private education; (4) ensuring the application of best global educational practices; (5) regulating education and improving performance and outcomes in private schools; and (6) stimulating competitiveness among private schools. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: United Arab Emirates
- Ministry: Ministry of Education
- Education Authority: The local government authority in charge of private education
- Private Education: Education in private schools
- Private School: Any non-government education facility providing education from preschool to pre-university
- Non-Profit Private School: A private school not intended to distribute profit to its owners
- School Fees: Money paid by students for educational services and activities
- License: Document issued by the Ministry or Education Authority authorizing a private school to operate
- People with Special Needs "People of Determination": Persons with temporary or permanent physical, sensory, mental, or psychological disabilities
(Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
Private schools must: 1. Appoint qualified teachers, administrative, and technical staff. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(1)) 2. Ensure all employees have good reputations and have not been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(3)) 3. Provide all educational, administrative, health, environmental, security, and safety requirements. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(4)) 4. Manage the school in accordance with the Executive Regulations. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(5)) 5. Maintain academic quality standards and comply with national compliance and quality frameworks. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(7)) 6. Submit annual reports on the school's status. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(8)) 7. Allow authorized inspections and provide requested information. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 11(10))
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
No natural or legal person can operate a private school without obtaining a license from the Ministry of Education or the local Education Authority. The law sets out detailed requirements for license applicants, including: - For natural persons: age, civil capacity, clean criminal record, financial capability. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 8) - For legal persons: proper incorporation, financial capability, partner/representative requirements. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 9) - The school's name, location, building, and principal must meet specified standards. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 7) The license cannot be assigned without prior approval. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 10)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. The legislation states that administrative violations and penalties imposed on private schools will be determined in the Executive Regulations. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 28)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Decree-Law on Private Education came into effect on 30 March 2021, 6 months after its issuance date of 27 September 2020. It was published in Official Gazette No. 687. (Federal Decree-Law on Private Education, 2020, Art. 37)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree-Law on Private Education for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.