Policy Lets Parents Opt Out Of Uniform & Textbook Costs in Abu Dhabi
Parents can skip textbook, device, and uniform fees if they opt for second-hand items under updated school policy.
Starting with the 2025–26 academic year, private schools in Abu Dhabi will need to follow a new tuition fee structure that separates charges into six categories. Among the changes, parents will be allowed to opt out of paying for school uniforms, textbooks, and digital devices if students already have approved second-hand alternatives.
Schools will also be permitted to offer up to 10 installments for tuition payments, provided they publish a transparent, ADEK-certified fee schedule online. Institutions are required to offer at least three installment options and may collect the first payment as early as one month before the school year begins.
Other updates include a cap on re-registration fees and a strict policy on how schools may handle late or unpaid tuition. Students cannot be barred from taking exams, and schools are banned from directly contacting students about outstanding balances. However, academic results and transfers may be withheld until dues are cleared.
