Irtiqa’a is the inspection programme that Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) runs for private schools. It uses the UAE Unified School Inspection Framework: six standards and 17 performance indicators, rated on a six-point scale from Outstanding to Very Weak. ADEK inspects every two years. Schools rated Acceptable or lower face limits on growth.
What is Irtiqa’a?
ADEK’s main regulatory tool for school quality. ADEK says Irtiqa’a, “operating under the UAE Unified School Inspection Framework, remains the core regulatory tool to drive school improvement” (ADEK, 1 October 2025). The framework is shared across UAE regulators, so Dubai’s KHDA and Sharjah’s SPEA judge the same core areas. See KHDA inspection framework 2026-27.
| Feature | Irtiqa’a |
|---|---|
| Run by | ADEK, for Abu Dhabi private schools |
| Framework | UAE Unified School Inspection Framework |
| Structure | Six core standards, 17 performance indicators |
| Rating scale | Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak, Very Weak |
| Minimum expected | ”Good is the minimum standard for every school in the UAE” |
| Frequency | ”Irtiqa’a inspections are conducted biennially” |
| Public display | School Performance Plaque at the entrance, since June 2025 |
What are the six Irtiqa’a standards?
The six standards of the UAE framework, which ADEK lists as:
- Students’ achievement
- Students’ personal and social development, and their innovation skills
- Teaching and assessment
- Curriculum
- Protection, care, guidance and support of students
- Leadership and management
The 17 indicators sit beneath these standards (Abu Dhabi Media Office). For British-curriculum schools, IGCSE and A Level results are only part of the picture. Five of the six standards are about development, teaching, curriculum, care and leadership. Arabic and national identity are also evaluated separately through the National Identity Mark, shown on the same plaque.
What happens after an Irtiqa’a rating?
Follow-up, and restrictions for weaker schools. ADEK says it “drives sector-wide improvement through structured action plans, mandatory follow-up sessions, and targeted interventions”. The rating then affects what a school can do:
| Rating | Consequence (ADEK, October 2025) |
|---|---|
| Acceptable or lower | ”Subject to restrictions on capacity growth and grade expansion”, lifted “only for schools demonstrating verified improvement” |
| Schools under restriction | ”Remain restricted from enrolling new Emirati students until further regulatory requirements are met” |
| Good or better | Meets the UAE minimum standard |
The enrolment restriction matters commercially. A school that cannot grow or add grades, or cannot admit new Emirati students, has its business plan tied to its next inspection.
How did Abu Dhabi schools perform in the latest results?
Most at Good or better. ADEK’s October 2025 release gave the sector-wide results:
| Rating | Schools |
|---|---|
| Outstanding | 13 |
| Very Good | 51 |
| Good | 93 |
| Acceptable | 42 |
| Weak | 5 |
| Total | 204 |
That is 157 of 204 schools (77%) at Good or better, our calculation from ADEK’s figures. ADEK also reported that “23 private schools have advanced in Irtiqa’a inspection results from Acceptable to Good in one academic year”.
What is the School Performance Plaque?
A public display of the rating at every school entrance. Since June 2025, Abu Dhabi private schools display a plaque showing their latest Irtiqa’a rating and their National Identity Mark. ADEK plans to add a Wellbeing Mark (ADEK). The National Identity Mark is a separate evaluation with “a 4-level rating system”, covering culture (including history, heritage and Arabic), values and citizenship (ADEK plaques). Note that the same ADEK page describes “a 5-level rating system for Irtiqaa”. The October 2025 release uses six points, which is the scale used here.
Does the rating affect fees?
It has done. ADEK’s 2023/24 fee framework calculated fee increases “based on the emirate’s Educational Cost Index (ECI)” and individual schools’ Irtiqa’a scores:
| Rating (2023/24 framework) | Maximum fee increase |
|---|---|
| Outstanding | 3.94% |
| Very Good | 3.38% |
| Good | 2.81% |
| Acceptable, Weak, Very Weak | 2.25% |
Schools had to be “operating for a minimum of three years” to be eligible. We found no later published ADEK fee framework, so check the current rules with ADEK before budgeting.
How should an Abu Dhabi school prepare for Irtiqa’a?
- Self-evaluate against all six standards, not only achievement.
- Evidence progress over time for every group of students and subject, not just examined IGCSE and A Level subjects.
- Close actions from the last inspection, since follow-up sessions check them.
- Plan for the two-year cycle, and keep evidence current between inspections.
- Protect the National Identity Mark, which appears on the same plaque.
- Model the business case for moving from Acceptable to Good, given the growth and enrolment restrictions.
For what inspectors ask about achievement, see Inspection & Accreditation Beyond Ofsted. For ADEK’s AI requirements, see KHDA and ADEK AI literacy requirements.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
Irtiqa’a judges students’ achievement and teaching and assessment on evidence of progress. AI Buddy records past-paper-style practice and mock results by student, class and topic across Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel. Leaders can show progress over time and the support given to students who fall behind. The rating itself is ADEK’s judgement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ADEK Irtiqa’a framework?
ADEK’s inspection programme for Abu Dhabi private schools. It uses the UAE Unified School Inspection Framework, with six standards and 17 indicators.
What are the Irtiqa’a ratings?
Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak and Very Weak. ADEK says Good is the minimum standard for UAE schools.
How often are Abu Dhabi schools inspected?
ADEK says Irtiqa’a inspections are conducted biennially, that is, every two years.
What happens if a school is rated Acceptable?
Schools rated Acceptable or lower have faced restrictions on capacity growth and grade expansion, and on enrolling new Emirati students, until they show verified improvement.
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Sources
- ADEK, Abu Dhabi private schools demonstrate steady improvement (1 October 2025)
- ADEK, Abu Dhabi private schools to display performance ratings and School Performance Plaques
- Abu Dhabi Media Office, ADEK outlines framework to enhance academic excellence of private schools (11 April 2023)