Abu Dhabi To Boost Early Education By Adding 1,000 Pre-KG Seats In Private Schools
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is set to increase early education opportunities by adding 1,000 new pre-kindergarten (pre-KG) seats for the 2024-2025 academic year. These seats will be distributed across 12 private schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. This initiative aims to strengthen the educational foundation for young learners in the region.
Mariam Al Hallami, Acting Executive Director of Early Education Sector at ADEK, stated: "By expanding early education opportunities across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, we are investing in the most crucial years of a child's development. Early education lays the foundation for lifelong learning, confidence, and success. We want to empower parents to give their children the best start in life, helping them to thrive in school and beyond."
Focus on Quality Early Education
ADEK collaborated with investors and stakeholders to enable private schools rated Good or above in the latest Irtiqaa ratings to expand their pre-KG sections. Clear guidelines were established to facilitate increased enrollment and ensure a smooth transition into kindergarten for children aged three to four. This initiative aims to build a strong foundation for long-term educational growth.
The 12 schools offering new pre-KG seats include:
- ABC Private School – Al Shamkha
- Al Ittihad National Private School – Falaj Hazza
- ADNOC Schools – Ruwais
- Al Manara Private School – Al Shamkha
- Al Nahda National Schools (Girls) – Al Mushrif
- Bait Al Maqdes International Private School – Mohamed bin Zayed City
- Future Leaders International Private School – Rabdan
- International Community Schools – Al Danah
- Sharjah American International Private School – Shakhbout City
- Summit International Schools – Al Danah
- International Community Schools – Khalifa City
- ADNOC Schools – Ghayathi
Criteria for Pre-KG Expansion
Schools interested in adding pre-KG seats must meet specific criteria. These include having available space with a unitisation rate below 90 per cent and submitting academic plans tailored to the age group. Additionally, building requirements such as separate entrances and exits must be met.
Other criteria include maintaining a capacity of 25 students with 2.16sqm per child, ensuring a staff ratio of one teacher and one assistant per 25 students, assigning a Head/Principal to manage the pre-KG section, aligning fee structures with current KG1 fees, including transportation, uniforms, books, educational resources, etc., and updating school trade licences through ADDED to include nursery activities.
This expansion is part of ADEK's ongoing efforts to enhance early education across Abu Dhabi. By providing more pre-KG seats, ADEK aims to support parents in giving their children a strong start in life. The initiative also seeks to ensure that young learners have access to quality education from an early age.
Through these measures, ADEK hopes to foster an environment where children can develop essential skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey. The focus remains on creating opportunities that promote lifelong learning and success.
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