Children starting school this year may be impacted by the amendment in the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) age requirements.
The age requirements will change for new students enrolling in FS1, FS2, Year 1 and Year 2 (Pre-KG, KG1, KG1 and Grade 1 respectively), according to the UAE’s MoE, resolution no (24).
For schools that start in September, mainly IB, UK and American curricula schools, this change will be applicable from the start of the 2021/22 academic year in September 2021.
The cut off age for Pre-KG or Foundation Stage 1 should be 3 years by August 31, 2021 as opposed to the earlier deadline of December 31.
Similarly, children starting KG1 or Foundation Stage 2 should be 4 years old by August 31 instead of the previous December deadline.
KG2 or Year 1 students should be 5 years old and Grade 1 or Year 2 students should be 6 years old by August 31, 2021.
Criterion for UAE schools starting their academic session in April.
For schools that start in April, primarily Indian and Pakistani curricula schools, this change will be applicable from the start of the 2022/23 academic year (next year) in April 2022.
