The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has initiated an in-depth review of academic records across private schools in the emirate, following concerns about grade inflation and inconsistent assessment practices. The move aims to reinforce fairness, transparency, and integrity within the education system.
Phase one of the review requires schools to submit Grade 12 records for scrutiny, including transcripts, grading frameworks, and samples of marked assessments. So far, 12 schools have been temporarily barred from enroling students in Grades 11 and 12 until they meet compliance requirements and implement corrective measures.
ADEK launched the review after identifying discrepancies between internal grades and external benchmark exams. The findings raised concerns that some academic records may not accurately reflect student learning or the quality of instruction delivered.
Unreliable results not only mislead universities and employers but also disadvantage students who meet standards through genuine effort. The ongoing review is part of a broader regulatory reform that will eventually cover Grades 9 through 11 and include a detailed analysis of grading trends across schools.
By addressing gaps in how student performance is assessed and reported, ADEK seeks to rebuild trust in private education outcomes and ensure that every student’s qualification truly reflects their efforts and abilities.