KHDA Explains New School Starting Ages

In an effort to clear up the confusion around school starting ages or children, the KHDA has launched a new information page to help parents understand the new regulations.

According to a KHDA spokesperson, children who have been enrolled in school this academic year for FS1 and are not an appropriate age (3 years-old by 31st December), then enrollment must be withdrawn and the fees fully refunded by the school. 

For the 2017/18 Academic Year:

• For children starting Pre-Primary/FS1 this academic year, children must be born in 2014 and 3 years-old by the 31st December 2017.
• For children starting KG1/FS2 this academic year, children must be born in 2013 and be 4 years-old by the 31st December 2017.
• For children starting KG2/Year One this academic year, children must be born in 2012 and 5 years-old by 31st December 2017.
• For children starting Grade 1/Year 2 this academic year, they must be born in 2011 and 6 years old by 31st December 2017.

The Demotion Request - Moving down a year

A demotion request is a signed agreement between the school and the parent to place the student in a lower grade due to age requirements and parental preferences. This service can only be requested by schools for KHDA approval.

The Demotion form is available on KHDA website in the “Forms and Guidelines” page.

More information

For further information, parents can get in touch with KHDA by email info@khda.gov.ae, go to www.khda.gov.ae during working hours to chat live with a KHDA team member, or call 800KHDA.

You may also post questions on the WhichSchoolAdvisor.com Q&A site, and one of our editors/consultants will do their best to answer your query.