Kamal Ghorui
Parents planning to place their children in UAE public schools next academic year will have a fixed window to complete enrolment, as the Ministry of Education opens registration from 9 February to 6 March 2026. Officials said applications will be accepted only during this period, with no extensions planned.Registration is open to Emirati citizens and eligible students across the public school system. The ministry stressed that early registration allows schools to prepare properly for the year ahead, from classroom distribution and staffing to textbooks and transport services, helping ensure a smooth start from the first day of term.
Applications will be processed in line with the updated age policy for entry levels:
- Kindergarten 1 (KG1): Children born between 1 January and 31 December 2022, aged four
- Kindergarten 2 (KG2): Children born between 1 January and 31 December 2021, aged five
- Grade 1: Children born between 1 January and 31 December 2020, aged six
For children who did not meet the 2025–26 criteria because their birth dates fall between 1 September and 31 December 2021, parents may choose to enrol them in KG1 or KG2, depending on readiness.
Student categories covered
The registration cycle applies to students from kindergarten through Grade 12 and includes four groups: new admissions, transfers from private schools or institutes to public schools, students arriving from schools abroad, and transfers between public schools within the UAE.
- Applications must be submitted through the Ministry of Education’s official website or the UAE MoE smart app.
- Parents or guardians should ensure their UAE Pass details are updated before starting the application.
- School transportation options should be selected during the registration period to guarantee service availability at the start of the academic year.
- Completing all steps within the announced timeframe helps prevent delays once schools reopen.
Additional guidance for parents
The ministry has advised parents to review the public school registration guide for the 2026–27 academic year, available on its official website. The guide details admission criteria, available education streams including general and advanced tracks, and specific standards for students of determination, aimed at supporting effective inclusion across public schools.
