UAE's Ministry of Education clarifies tuition refund rules for private school transfers
Tuition, transport, and book fees — MoE sets clear refund terms
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Education has clarified the procedure for refunding tuition fees when a student withdraws from or transfers between private schools for any reason.
The Ministry confirmed that all private schools under its supervision in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah must adhere to the approved financial policy, which safeguards parents' rights and regulates the contractual relationship between schools and families.
Tuition fee calculation
The Ministry outlined three tracks governing the refund of tuition fees:
Track 1: Tuition fees
Tuition fees are calculated based on how long the student attended the school:
If a student withdraws within two weeks of the start of the academic term, the school is entitled to charge one month’s tuition.
If a student remains for more than two weeks but less than one month, the school may charge two months’ tuition.
If the student stays for more than one month, the school is entitled to charge three months’ tuition, regardless of when the withdrawal occurs during the term.
The monthly fee is calculated by dividing the total annual tuition by ten months, a standardized practice across all private schools in the UAE.
Track 2: Book and transportation fees
This track pertains to textbooks and transportation:
Fees for books and uniforms are non-refundable under any circumstances, as they are considered consumed upon receipt.
Transportation fees follow the same refund structure as tuition, with the refundable portion calculated based on the number of months unused.
Track 3: School responsibilities
Schools are required to:
Provide parents with written notification of the refund policy at the time of initial registration.
Issue a formal notice if any partial or full tuition discounts are granted, detailing the discount terms and how they would apply in case of withdrawal.
Not charge fees for a term the student did not attend under any circumstances.
Ensuring transparency and fair practices
The Ministry stressed that these mechanisms aim to promote fairness and transparency in school-parent relations and prevent any financial misconduct. It urged parents to carefully review school contracts and to contact educational oversight teams if they notice any violations.
To support parents, the Ministry has provided official channels for inquiries and complaints regarding tuition fees via the Ministry of Education portal or the toll-free number 80051115.
Recent Developments
Following recent structural changes, the Emirates Schools Establishment has been merged under the Ministry of Education, making the Ministry the primary authority overseeing public schools across the UAE. This includes kindergartens, early childhood institutions, and private schools of all curricula in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Oversight by other authorities
Private schools in Dubai remain under the supervision of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Sharjah private schools are monitored by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA).
Abu Dhabi private schools are overseen by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
Summary
If a student enrolled in a private school under the Ministry’s supervision withdraws or transfers, the parent may be entitled to a partial refund according to the approved refund policy. Written notice must be provided in advance (typically at least 15 days before the term starts).
Key points:
Advance notification: Parents must notify the school in writing before the start of the term.
Refund amount: Based on the duration the student attended:
Withdrawal within two weeks → charged one month’s fee.
Withdrawal after two weeks but before one month → charged two months’ fees.
Withdrawal after one month → charged three months’ fees.
Other fees:
Book and uniform fees are only refundable if unused.
Transportation fees are partially refundable, depending on usage.
School policy:
Schools must clearly communicate refund policies at registration or re-registration.
Refund policies may vary between private schools. Parents should review the specific policy of the school. In case of disputes, they are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Education.
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