UAE’s Ministry of Education outlines reasons for withholding student certificates

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has identified three main reasons that may result in the withholding of a student’s certificate, urging parents to contact school administrations for clarification and resolution.

According to the Ministry’s digital platform under the “Frequently Asked Questions” section, a student’s certificate may be withheld due to:

In such cases, students or their parents must contact the school administration to understand the issue and complete the necessary procedures.

The Ministry confirmed that re-sit exams for the 2024–2025 academic year — applicable to students in Grades 3 through 12 at public and private schools following the national curriculum — will cover content from the third academic term only.

There is no cap on the number of subjects a student may re-sit. Students are eligible to retake exams regardless of how many subjects they failed.

The Ministry emphasised that re-sit exams will be administered exclusively in electronic format, with no paper-based options. Absence from the exam — even with a valid excuse — will not entitle students to a make-up exam. This highlights the importance of attending exams as scheduled.

The Ministry reaffirmed on its official website that tuition fee collection procedures for resident students align with federal government directives governing Ministry institutions.

It stated: “As per the approved procedures for collecting tuition fees from resident students, the Ministry of Education reiterates the necessity of fee collection as a financial obligation mandated by ministerial decisions issued by the federal government regarding services offered within Ministry institutions.”

To ensure fee collection, the Ministry has implemented several regulatory measures, including:

The Ministry clarified that essential services like textbook distribution and school transportation remain unaffected. It also warned that any contradictory information being shared is inaccurate.

All outstanding fees must be settled by the end of the current month, or the above measures will be applied in accordance with regulations.

Public school administrations have already begun implementing these measures by sending detailed notifications to parents. These communications outline outstanding balances, available payment options, and inform families that academic results will be withheld if fees are not cleared — preventing students from viewing their grades or receiving final certificates.

If unpaid fees persist, all digital services will be suspended, including access to smart learning platforms, the e-certification system, and transfer-related services. Students will be unable to conduct any official educational transactions until their financial obligations are resolved.

Additionally, students’ enrollment for the next academic year will be suspended automatically, and their school seat forfeited. Re-enrollment will only be possible once all dues are cleared—potentially disrupting academic progress, especially for students transitioning between educational stages.

School administrators stressed that these measures are not designed to pressure families but to support a structured education system and maintain uninterrupted student services. They noted that financial responsibility is a crucial part of the partnership between families and schools.

Parents are urged to cooperate and respond promptly to school notifications. The primary goal, administrators emphasized, is to protect students’ academic future and ensure continuity in their education.

All enforcement actions will take effect automatically starting May 1 for students with unresolved financial obligations. The Ministry reiterated that settling fees is a family responsibility, reflecting a shared commitment to education and student success.