Parents across the UAE have just days left to secure a place for their children in public schools for the 2026-2027 academic year, with authorities making it clear that late applications will no longer be accepted once the window closes.According to the UAE Ministry of Education, registration for Emirati students and students subject to such treatment will continue until March 6, 2026. The ministry urges families to complete the process as early as possible to avoid delays or missing out on placement entirely.Enrollment begins February 9 for incoming students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Also included are students transferring from private schools or institutions to public schools, students arriving from abroad, and students transferring between domestic public schools.Applications must be submitted through the ministry’s official website or its smart application UAE MOE. The Ministry of Education advises parents to ensure that personal details related to their digital identity are fully updated according to their social status to facilitate a smooth registration process.Transportation arrangements are also part of the registration process. The ministry stressed the importance of selecting school transportation services during the school year, noting that early application will help ensure availability at the start of the school year.Admissions for 2026-2027 will follow the updated age eligibility policy.Children born between January 1 and December 31, 2022 who turn four years old on December 31 of the year of entry will be admitted to Kindergarten 1. Children born between January 1 and December 31, 2021 and who turn five years old on the same date will be eligible to enroll in Kindergarten 2.Year 1 will be open to children born between January 1 and December 31, 2020, provided they are six years old by December 31 of the year of entry.The ministry also introduced requirements for specific groups affected by last year’s standards. For children who are not eligible to register for the 2025-2026 school year because their birth date is between September 1 and December 31, 2021, parents can choose to enroll them in Kindergarten 1 or Kindergarten 2.As the March 6 deadline approaches, education authorities stress that no new applications will be accepted once the registration window closes, so timely submission of applications is critical for family planning for the next school year.
