Abu Dhabi Expands Crackdown on Grade Inflation in Private Schools

Education & Research

Abu Dhabi Expands Crackdown on Grade Inflation in Private Schools

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is intensifying efforts to curb grade inflation across private schools, expanding its compliance review to cover Grades 9 to 11 after finding significant discrepancies between internal grades and external assessment benchmarks.

Last month, ADEK temporarily barred 12 private schools from enrolling new students in Grades 11 and 12, following routine quality assurance checks that revealed internal grades were considerably higher than international benchmarks. The regulator emphasized that while existing students remain unaffected, the enrollment freeze applies strictly to new admissions.

Discrepancies Raise Concerns

According to Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of ADEK, the initial findings showed internal school grades were “significantly higher than results from external assessments and international benchmarks.” The anomalies prompted ADEK to launch a broader investigation to ensure that grading reflects true academic performance.

“The objective is not to penalize schools but to safeguard academic integrity and support continuous improvement,” Al Mheiri said.

What is Grade Inflation?

Grade inflation occurs when student marks increase over time without a corresponding improvement in actual learning or achievement. This undermines the credibility of grades as indicators of performance, making it harder for parents, educators, and universities to evaluate abilities or allocate resources fairly.

Phase Two of the Compliance Drive

ADEK confirmed that phase two of the initiative will expand oversight to Grades 9 through 11. Schools will be required to submit internal grade data for comparison against external benchmarks, with trend analysis conducted to detect systemic issues early.

Al Mheiri added, “Our goal is to ensure consistency and accuracy in assessment practices. ADEK remains committed to maintaining a stable, high-quality academic environment while guiding schools through necessary improvements.”

Schools Strengthening Internal Moderation

Several institutions have already strengthened internal moderation by cross-referencing predicted grades with external assessments such as NGRT, Progress Tests, and Cambridge Checkpoint. Educational leaders noted that these measures help ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Collaborative Approach

ADEK underlined that its strategy is collaborative, involving technical guidance, professional development, and clear compliance reports for schools. The regulator emphasized that maintaining academic integrity is crucial to protecting the emirate’s educational reputation and ensuring that student achievements genuinely reflect learning outcomes.