UAE schools set new rules for kindergarten attendance

Several kindergarten administrations have announced detailed guidelines for welcoming first-year kindergarten children as the new academic year begins on Monday, August 25. Parents were urged to adhere to the instructions to facilitate a smooth entry process and ensure the comfort and safety of children on their first school day.

School hours and arrival procedures

The school day will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m., and parents are requested to arrive on time. School bus transportation services will also be available.

Upon arrival, parents should accompany their child to the reception area for a photo session and to check the class list, before proceeding with the child to the designated classroom. Parents must ensure that the classroom number matches the official list, then hand the child directly to the teacher.

Health and safety measures

To safeguard students’ well-being, parents will be required to fill out their child’s health information form, including details about allergies or other medical conditions, and submit it to the kindergarten nurse.

Dismissal schedule

During the first school week, classes will end at 10:00 a.m. Parents using private vehicles must arrive on time to pick up their children.

For children using school buses, parents should confirm that their child’s name is included in the transport list. Return trips will commence on Monday, August 25.

Emphasis on cooperation

Administrations stressed the importance of parental cooperation, noting that these measures are designed to ensure a safe and smooth start to the academic journey, while helping children feel secure and comfortable in their new school environment.

School bag regulations

Separately, school administrations announced new measures to address the recurring issue of heavy schoolbags, aiming to reduce their weight by about 50%. Parents were urged to support these efforts by purchasing ergonomic schoolbags and reviewing their child’s bag contents daily.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has required that schoolbag weight not exceed 10% of a child’s body weight, in order to avoid negative effects on spinal health. It has also mandated that every school appoint a Health and Safety Officer.

Schools specified in email communications to parents that:

• Bags must not have wheels or metal handles.

• Maximum size for kindergarten bags: 40 cm x 30 cm.

• Maximum size for Grade 1–12 bags: 50 cm x 30 cm.

• Bags must be proportionate to the child’s body size and build.

Parents were also informed that the weight of the filled bag should remain between 5% and 10% of the child’s body weight, taking into account individual factors such as overall health, physical strength, and existing medical conditions.

The maximum allowed bag weight is:

• 2 kg for Kindergarten to Grade 2.

• 3–4.5 kg for Grades 3 to 5.

• 8 kg for Grades 6 to 8.

• 10 kg for Grades 9 to 12.

Schools must fully comply with this policy by February 1, 2026. Failure to comply will subject schools to legal accountability and applicable penalties under ADEK’s regulations and requirements, in addition to any penalties imposed under the law.