Sultan issues law on private education regulation

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued administrative Law No. (19) of 2019 on the regulation list of private education in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The administrative decree stipulates that the regulation of private education in the Emirate of Sharjah shall be enforced.

The regulation aims to regulate the educational process, and training while raising the quality of education services in private educational institutions, and provide the appropriate environment for their practice, and the development of the educational system in the private sector, and the application of global best practices with a suitable environment.

The administrative fees and fines related to the practice of educational activities in the Emirate of Sharjah shall be issued by a decision of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Sharjah.

The provisions of this regulation shall apply to private educational institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah, including its free zones.

All private educational establishments engaged in educational activity services in the Emirate of Sharjah at the time of application of this resolution shall adjust their status in accordance with its provisions within 6 months from the date of issuance of this resolution.

The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) is responsible for developing public policies and strategic plans, and proposing the necessary legislation to regulate and develop private education in the Emirate of Sharjah and granting and approving licenses for enterprises.

The Arabic language is the official language of communication at the Commission, and all correspondence issued by the Commission and received in Arabic or both Arabic and English according to the private educational institution.

Foreign institutions outside the country are excluded from this obligation so that they are allowed to communicate with the Authority in English only.

The SPEA reserves the right to request legal translation into Arabic for each document in English, and all expenses incurred are borne by the sending institution.

Private educational institutions are prohibited from collecting or accepting donations from any person, whether inside or outside the UAE, except with the prior written consent of the Authority.

The Decree shall be effective from the date of its issuance. Any provision contrary to its provisions shall be repealed, and shall be published in the Official Gazette.

According to the administrative decision, any natural or legal person is prohibited from operating any private educational institution to practise the educational activity services in the Emirate except after obtaining an educational licence from the Sharjah Private Education Authority.

DISTINCTIVE NAME

The applicant must have full legal capacity and not have a previous felony.

Each private educational institution must have a distinctive name to be accredited by the Sharjah Private Education Authority.

The SPEA issues the licence to a care room at an educational institution, a private school, institute or a private training centre. The Sharjah Private Education Authority grants the initial approval for a period of six months and may be extended by the Authority for a period not exceeding one year.

Educational activity services are not permitted under initial approval.

The Authority shall issue the licence and its validity shall be one year from the date of issue and shall be renewed annually, for at least 30 days before the expiry date.

The decision provides for the issuance of transfer certificates for teachers, and provide all the necessary requirements for enrolment in another private educational institution inside or outside the country, with the payment of any fees or amounts due to any government or private entities.

The private educational institutions are committed to provide all educational, administrative, training, professional, technical, health, environmental and safety requirements within their premises, in accordance with the standards and controls adopted by the Sharjah Private Education Authority with the application of legislation and policies.