Parental approval requirement (50%)
The policy requires schools to publish their category—co-educational, mixed, boys-only, or girls-only—on their websites. If schools adopt different categories across cycles or grades, ADEK approval is mandatory. Schools must provide evidence of parental consent from a majority (over 50%) of students’ parents in the school, cycle, or class targeted for conversion to co-education.
Additional requirements include:
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Implementing changes at least one academic year in advance
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Submitting a formal request with justifications for converting a single class
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Providing evidence of over 75% parental approval for any class converted to co-education
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Ensuring classroom locations allow separate entry and exit for opposite genders and easy access to restrooms
No co-education in swimming classes
The policy explicitly prohibits co-educational swimming lessons from Grade 5/Year 6 and above, even with majority parental approval. Changing rooms must remain gender-segregated or scheduled for alternating use. Separate facilities are required for activities involving changing into costumes or other garments.
Other stipulations include:
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Gender-segregated restrooms at all grade levels except kindergarten
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No nudity on school premises
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Ensuring students follow modesty practices in changing rooms
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Separate prayer rooms for boys and girls, either shared by schedule or exclusive use
Co-education permitted in early years
ADEK previously confirmed in June that schools may operate co-educationally in Cycle 1 (up to Grade 4/Year 5). Schools must list their category on their websites and admission applications.
The policy clarifies that, historically, Abu Dhabi schools followed gender-segregated models. With the expansion of international schools, co-education has become common, necessitating clear rules on co-educational provisions and staff gender to align with ADEK’s cultural considerations policy.
In all cases where different categories apply across stages or grades, ADEK approval is required. Schools cannot change their category—for the entire school, a stage, or a specific class—without prior permission, and the categories must be publicly listed.
