Abu Dhabi schools are now required to accept students with special needs or learning disabilities, thanks to a new policy from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). This inclusion policy mandates that if a school cannot accommodate a student, it must provide a detailed explanation to ADEK, which will determine whether to uphold or revoke the school’s decision.

Sylvie Wald, the Education Policy Office Director at ADEK, emphasized that schools must accept all students of determination. If they cannot accommodate a student, they are required to notify ADEK, which will review the case. Wald stated, “Now they must accept all students of determination, and if they cannot accommodate a student, they have to report that to ADEK. It’s called the inability to accommodate notification.”

In cases where a school believes it cannot support a student, they must submit written evidence detailing their limitations. ADEK’s inclusion team will review this evidence, and if they find that the school can support the student, they will overturn the rejection and mandate the school to accept the student. Additionally, ADEK will guide schools on how to accommodate the child effectively.

For parents struggling to find placements for their children, ADEK has established a customer happiness center for assistance. The department also offers alternative pathways for students who may not perform well in mainstream environments, including placement in specialized schools. Schools that fail to comply with the inclusion policy will face consequences, starting with an opportunity to comply, but if noncompliance continues, they could face fines and other serious repercussions.

ADEK’s new policy broadens the scope of inclusion beyond just students of determination to encompass any student with additional learning needs, whether diagnosed or not. Wald explained that teachers should employ inclusive practices wherever they see a need, ensuring that every child receives appropriate support for their learning.

To facilitate these changes, ADEK has introduced qualified inclusion teachers instead of support staff. These teachers may lead classrooms or work alongside other educators to assist students requiring extra help. Wald noted that inclusion assistants, previously referred to as shadow teachers, can only assist a student in class if it is demonstrated that the student needs this support for at least 50% of their school day.

Moreover, schools are now encouraged to actively participate in the inclusion process by developing dedicated inclusion teams. The goal is to integrate inclusion into all aspects of the school environment. Schools can also apply for assistive technology through ADEK, like a Braille machine for visually impaired students.

This inclusion policy is part of a broader initiative, consisting of 39 new policies introduced by ADEK in September 2024. Schools have until September 2026 to fully comply with the new regulations.