The UAE Ministry of Education announced a major update to school admissions starting the 2026-2027 academic year. Schools following British, American, and IB curricula that begin classes in August or September will change their age cut-off date to December 31. Earlier, children needed to reach the required age by August 31 to join that school year. This extension by four months helps "end-of-year" babies start school without waiting an extra year. Now, children turning three, four, or five by New Year's Eve can join classes that September. However, schools following Indian and Japanese curricula, which start in April, will keep their age cut-off date as March 31. Education officials including KHDA and ADEK explained this keeps the system consistent with the home countries’ school cycles. Changing their cut-off could cause difficulties for families moving between the UAE and countries like India or Pakistan, affecting exam and grade placements. The Ministry also released a clear age eligibility chart for the 2026-27 academic cycle to help parents plan ahead. This cut-off change is part of broader UAE education reforms including calendar adjustments and new attendance rules. A school principal commented, "This shift makes the system less stressful for both children and parents, and more aligned with how children grow, develop, and begin their school journey." Parents are advised to check eligibility early and talk to schools during admissions to ensure a smooth start.