UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – New federal draft law on compulsory education
HIS Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE and prime minister and ruler of Dubai has recently highlighted the right to education for every child in the UAE.
The UAE has recently approved a federal draft law on compulsory education which replaces the previous law. The UAE’s former education law mandated compulsory education only until elementary level. The new law, now stipulates that free education will be provided at government institutions to children who complete their education six years up to the end of education or until they reach 18 years of age.
According to his official website, his Highness said: “Our meeting is a good occasion for the adoption of the issuance of such a law, which guarantees the right of all children to get proper education, preparing them to contribute to their community and styling morals and souls while developing their minds and talents.”
The new law demands the relevant guardians of children take strong interest in the education of those under their care and continuously monitor the child’s learning path. Failing to follow this will automatically result in a fine of AED10,000 and a court appearance.
Education is crucial for the future of the UAE and making it compulsory from the elementary level will surely benefit the country.
A number of other topics were on the agenda during this cabinet meeting, including a new law on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The proposed law aims to keep the stock genetics of agricultural crops, its development and fair sharing and benefits. An agreement was also reached to establish a UAE embassy in Guinea while approving air service agreements with Finland and Comoros.
