How Dubai schools are handling new age rules

ELIGIBILITY VS READINESS: EDUCATORS SAY THEY MAY EXPAND CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS

- BY ZAINAB HUSAIN Features Writer

Many parents have seen FSI offers withdrawn for children who no longer meet the age criteria.

(Gulf News Archive)

The UAE introduced a new age cutoff policy for 2026-27 school admissions, announced by the Ministry of Education in December 2025. Following this, Dubai's KHDA clarified that some children previously expected to join FS1 may now need to start FS2.

KHDA emphasised that schools must comply with federal legislation, address parental concerns, and ensure every child has access to quality education.

Many parents have seen FS1 offers withdrawn for children who no longer meet the age criteria. Educators say they are restructuring early years provision, expanding capacity and guiding parents more carefully as families adjust to the revised age cutoff rules.

Pre-KG Nova programme

Nicola Upham, Principal of Wellbeing and Development and Primo and Junior School at Bloom World Academy, said staff recognise that not all children may be ready to skip FS1. To address this, the school has introduced 'Pre-KG Nova', a tailored early years provision for children aged 2 years and 8 months to 2 years and 11 months, positioned between the Early Excellence Centre and Pre-KG.

"We support readiness early so later transitions, including FS2, are developmentally aligned for each child," Upham said.