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Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council

The last update on this law was listed on 01 Oct 2024

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Issued Date

01 Oct 2024

Effective Date

01 Jan 2025

Official Gazette Date

14 Oct 2024

Official Gazette No

785 (ملحق 2)

Legislation State

Active

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this website/ legislation. However, for the purpose of their interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail

We, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,          President of the United Arab Emirates
− Having reviewed the Constitution;
− Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and Powers of the Ministers, as amended;
− Federal Decree by Law No. (44) of 2022 Regarding the Establishment of the National Center for Education Quality; and,
− Upon the proposal of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the approval of the Cabinet,
Hereby promulgate the following Decree by Law:
 

Article (1) Definitions

For the purposes of implementing the provisions of this Decree by Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
State: The United Arab Emirates.
Council: The Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council.
Chairman: The Chairman of the Council.
Vice Chairman: The Vice Chairman of the Council.
Center: The National Center for Education Quality.
General Secretariat: The General Secretariat of the Council.
Education Sector: It includes all stages and types of education, including early childhood education, general education, public and private higher education, vocational, technical, and technological education and training, continuing education, and inclusive education. It comprises all frameworks, targets, policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the organization of these stages, in addition to those related to gifted students, student guidance and counseling, the quality of life of the student, the national educational curriculum, examinations, student performance results, the evaluation and classification of the quality of education, its outcomes and institutions, the national qualifications system, scholarships, grants, scientific research, compliance and the monitoring of oversight operations on educational institutions.
Human Development Sector: It includes all frameworks, targets, policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the development, advancement, and qualification of human resources in the State and their empowerment within the labor market.
Community Sector: It includes all frameworks, targets, policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the development and empowerment of the family and the community, including those related to the building, formation, and growth of the family, and the enhancement of its cohesion, solidarity, and stability, as well as increasing fertility rates among Emirati families, childcare and protection, safeguarding children’s rights, and the care, empowerment, and integration of vulnerable groups in society, including People of Determination, senior citizens, orphans, persons of unknown parentage, and victims of violence, among others.
It also includes those related to the social support and empowerment system, the regulation of public welfare associations, places of worship for non-Muslims, and the licensing and monitoring of oversight operations on institutions and centers that provide social programs and services.
Concerned Federal Government Authorities: The federal government authorities concerned with the education, human development, and community sectors. This includes the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, the Ministry of Family, the Ministry of Community Empowerment, Federal Public Higher Education Institutions, and any other federal entity whose competences fall within these sectors.
A Resolution of the Cabinet shall be issued, upon the recommendation of the Council, approving their inclusion in the Council's membership.

Article (2) Establishment of the Council

1. Pursuant to the provisions of this Decree by Law, a council named the "Education, Human Development and Community Development Council" shall be established. It shall enjoy a legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and the legal capacity necessary to undertake all actions and dispositions that ensure the achievement of its objectives and the performance of its competences, and shall be affiliated with the Cabinet.
2. The Council established pursuant to the provisions of this Decree by Law shall replace the "Education and Human Resources Council" established under the relevant Cabinet Resolutions.
 

Article (3) Headquarters of the Council

The main headquarters of the Council shall be located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Chairman may, by a decision issued thereby, establish other branches or offices for the Council within the State.

Article (4) Objectives of the Council

The Council aims to achieve the following:
1. Coherence and alignment among strategic directions, policies, legislations, and plans related to education, human development, and community sectors.
2. Integration among early childhood education, general education, and higher education through a sequential and continuous educational system that supports students in their academic and vocational paths and contributes to their integration into the labor market.
3. Alignment of education outcomes with labor market requirements to provide the community with qualified human resources, keep pace with changes, and meet the current and future social, developmental, and economic needs of the State.
4. Enhancing the role of the family in the sound upbringing of generations and instilling morals, values, national identity, and positive citizenship.
5. Contributing, with the concerned authorities in the State, to the development and empowerment of national talents and activating their role in the vital sectors of the State in accordance with the applicable legislations.
6. Measuring, evaluating, and monitoring the performance of the education, human development, and community sectors related to the Council's competences, and the extent to which they achieve the vision, specific outcomes, and targets set for each sector.
7. Enhancing coordination among the concerned Federal Government Authorities, Local Authorities, and other relevant entities to support the achievement of the Council's objectives.
8. Contributing, in coordination with the concerned authorities in the State, to promoting scientific research and innovation, supporting the gradual adoption of artificial intelligence tools and advanced technology in the education, human development, and community sectors, and encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors within the scope of the Council's activity.
9. Adopting a national approach based on flexibility, innovation, and efficiency within the scope of the Council's work, thereby enhancing the integration of the education, human development, and community sectors.

Article (5) Formation of the Council

1. The Council shall consist of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and a number of members. A resolution for the formation of the Council and the appointment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be issued by the Cabinet, upon the proposal of the Chairman of the Presidential Court.
2. The term of membership in the Council shall be (3) three years, automatically renewable for similar periods, unless a resolution is issued by the Cabinet to reconstitute it.
3. The Council may seek the assistance of experts and specialists as it deems appropriate, and may form permanent and temporary committees and work teams as necessary to assist it in carrying out its competences and tasks.
4. The Chairman shall issue internal regulations to organize the work of the Council and the mechanism for holding its meetings and adopting its decisions.
5. The Chairman may delegate some of their competences and powers stipulated in this Decree by Law to the Vice Chairman.

Article (6) Competences of the Council

To achieve its objectives, the Council shall have the following competences:
1. Defining and developing the general vision, strategic directions, frameworks, and targets for the education, human development, and community sectors to meet the needs of the community and the labor market, and supervising the implementation thereof in coordination with the concerned authorities, upon approval by the Cabinet.
2. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to public and private general education, including early childhood education, vocational, technical, and technological education, continuing education, and inclusive education, including the category of People of Determination and individuals with special educational needs, as prepared by the Ministry of Education in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
3. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to gifted students, guidance and counseling, and quality of life in general education institutions and vocational, technical, and technological training institutions concerned with general education, as prepared by the Ministry of Education in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
4. Studying and reviewing the general framework of the national curriculum prepared by the Ministry of Education in coordination with the concerned authorities, and the system of examinations in general education institutions prepared by the Center, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
5. Studying cases of establishment, closure, merger, and separation of federal public general education institutions, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
6. Studying the results of student performance in general education in all international, school, and national tests and the rates of success and failure reported by the Ministry of Education, and endorsing the recommendations regarding the development of examinations, as well as the skills of students, teachers, and curricula that fall within its competence.
7. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to public and private higher education and promoting scientific research, including the national qualifications system, the national framework for classifying, evaluating, and measuring the quality of outputs of public and private higher education institutions, the general framework for the governance of Federal Higher Education Institutions, and scholarships and grants within and outside the State, as prepared by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
8. Studying and reviewing the classification and evaluation results of public and private higher education institutions, as reported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
9. Studying and reviewing the frameworks, regulations, and mechanisms prepared by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, each within its competence, related to compliance and oversight of general and higher education institutions in the State, in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
10. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to building and forming stable and cohesive families and increasing fertility rates among national families, as prepared by the Ministry of Family in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
11. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the care, protection, and securing of rights of children, and the care, empowerment, and integration of vulnerable and at-risk groups, including People of Determination, senior citizens, orphans, persons of unknown parentage, victims of violence, and others, as prepared by the Ministry of Family in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
12. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the social support and empowerment system, the regulation of public welfare associations, and the places of worship for non-Muslims, as prepared by the Ministry of Community Empowerment in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
13. Studying and reviewing regulations related to licensing and oversight of institutions and centers that provide social programs and services, including those related to the practice of professions in the social sector, as prepared by the Ministry of Family in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
14. Studying and reviewing policies, strategies, and legislations related to the development, advancement, and qualification of human resources in the State and their empowerment in the labor market, as prepared by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization in coordination with the concerned authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
15. Reviewing the strategic plans of the concerned federal government authorities and ensuring their alignment with the approved vision, general strategic directions, frameworks, and targets for the education, human development, and community sectors, and submitting them to the Chairman for approval in accordance with the provisions determined by the Cabinet in this regard, as well as enabling and monitoring the authorities’ performance in implementing these plans and submitting their outputs to the Council.
16. Proposing policies for the management of specialized human resources and financial resources in the concerned federal government authorities in the education, human development, and community sectors in a manner that supports the achievement of the Council's objectives, and submitting them to the Cabinet for adoption after consulting with the concerned authorities.
17. Studying and reviewing the organizational structures of the concerned Federal Government Authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
18. Reviewing the annual budget of the concerned federal government authorities before its submission to the Ministry of Finance for adoption within the draft federal budget law, accompanied by any recommendations deemed appropriate by the Council.
19. Preparing studies, proposing, and developing programs, initiatives, and policies that support the achievement of the Council's objectives, and supervising the implementation thereof in coordination with the concerned authorities.
20. Coordinating with the concerned local authorities regarding the integration and alignment of policies and strategies related to education, human development, and community sectors relevant to the scope of the Council's competences.
21. Studying the policies and plans related to the gradual application of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in education, human development, and community sectors in coordination with the concerned authorities, in a manner that meets the State's needs and keeps pace with current and future developments, and submitting them to the Chairman for approval.
22. Any other competences assigned thereto pursuant to laws, regulations, or resolutions issued by the Cabinet.

Article (7) Powers of the Chairman

The Chairman shall, through the Council, supervise the implementation of the Council's competences and shall have all the necessary powers to enable them to achieve the Council's objectives, including the following powers:
1. Approving the vision, general strategic directions, frameworks, and targets for the education, human development, and community sectors in a manner that meets the needs of the community and the labor market, after their study and review by the Council, and submitting them to the Cabinet for adoption.
2. Approving the policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the education, human development, and community sectors after their study and review by the Council, and submitting them to the Cabinet for adoption.
3. Adopting the students’ performance outcomes in general education and the related developmental recommendations, and adopting the classification and evaluation results of public and private higher education institutions.
4. Approving cases of establishment, closure, merger, and separation of federal public general education institutions, and submitting them to the Cabinet for adoption.
5. Approving the national framework for evaluating the quality of education for all stages of early childhood, and public and private general education, including vocational, technical, and technological education, as prepared by the Center in coordination with the concerned authorities, before its submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
6. Approving the examination system of all types for implementation in general education institutions after submission by the Center in coordination with the concerned authorities, before its presentation to the Cabinet for adoption.
7. Adopting the results of education quality in the State, as prepared by the Center, before their submission to the Cabinet, accompanied by the necessary recommendations.
8. Approving the strategic plans of the concerned federal government authorities in the education, human development, and community sectors, in accordance with the provisions determined by the Cabinet in this regard, and submitting them to the Cabinet for adoption.
9. Reviewing the proposals and views of the concerned authorities regarding the development of policies for the management of specialized human resources and financial resources in the concerned federal government authorities, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
10. Approving the organizational structures of the concerned federal government authorities before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
11. Approving the draft annual budget of the concerned federal government authorities before its submission to the Ministry of Finance for adoption within the draft federal budget law.
12. Reviewing the proposals of the concerned federal government authorities regarding the appointment or dismissal of employees whose appointment or dismissal requires a decree or a Cabinet Resolution, and approving them before their submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
13. Adopting the studies, programs, initiatives, and policies that support the achievement of the Council's objectives, and supervising the implementation thereof in coordination with the concerned authorities.
14. Approving the policies and plans related to the gradual application of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in the education, human development, and community sectors, in a manner that meets the State's needs and keeps pace with current and future developments.
15. Approving the draft annual budgets of the Council, including the Center and the General Secretariat, and their closing accounts, and submitting them to the Chairman of the Presidential Court for adoption.
16. Appointing one or more external auditors to audit the accounts of the Council, including the Center and the General Secretariat, if necessary, and determining their fees.
17. Approving the draft organizational structure, internal regulations, and systems related to financial, technical, and human resources affairs of the Council, including the Center and the General Secretariat, and submitting them to the Chairman of the Presidential Court for adoption.
18. Adopting the formation of permanent and temporary committees and work teams from among the members of the Council or employees in the Council's units or from experts and specialists from federal and local government authorities, to prepare the necessary studies and carry out certain competences of the Council, and adopting the tasks and work system of these committees and teams.
19. Concluding agreements and memoranda of understanding related to the activity of the Council in accordance with the applicable regulations and systems.
20. Following up on the achievements of the Council and the results of the implementation of approved initiatives, projects, and policies and issuing directives in respect thereof.
21. Submitting periodic reports to the President of the State and the Cabinet on the achievements and results accomplished.
22. Any other tasks assigned thereto by the President of the State, the Chairman of the Cabinet, or the Cabinet.

Article (8) National Center for Education Quality

1. A center named the "National Center for Education Quality" shall be established within the Council, headed by a chairman whose appointment and grade shall be determined by a Federal Decree.
2. The National Center for Education Quality is a unit of the Council, and the Chairman of the Center shall directly exercise their competences and powers in accordance with the regulations applicable in the Council, including the appointment of the Center's employees.
3. The Center referred to in Clause (1) of this Article shall supersede the National Center for Education Quality established by the aforementioned Federal Decree by Law No. (44) of 2022, in all legislations related to its competences.

Article (9) Competences of the National Center for Education Quality

The Center shall have the following competences:
1. Preparing the national framework for monitoring and evaluating the quality of education in all stages of early childhood, and public and private general education, including vocational, technical, and technological education. This includes defining the standards, controls, regulations, and tools for evaluation, oversight, and measurement of the quality of education outcomes, student performance, and the efficiency of the educational process and its alignment with the vision, targets, and outcomes of education, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, educational authorities, and other concerned authorities, and supervising the implementation thereof after its approval by the Cabinet.
2. Implementing evaluation and oversight programs and operations on the role of nurseries, kindergartens, public and private general education institutions, and vocational, technical, and technological training institutions concerned with general education, in accordance with the approved national framework, preparing reports on the results, and proposing necessary recommendations to develop policies, strategies, legislations, programs, and systems of education at all its stages, and submitting them to the Chairman for adoption.
3. Reviewing and evaluating the system of tests of all types, across the stages of general education and the extent of its alignment with the targets and outcomes of education quality, establishing the frameworks and controls for all types of tests and determining the appropriate ones for application in the State, and proposing the related developmental recommendations and policies and submitting them to the Chairman.
4. Preparing and implementing standardized tests to measure the quality of education at various academic stages in coordination with the concerned authorities and submitting their results to the Chairman.
5. Approving participation in international student tests based on the proposal of the Ministry of Education and the concerned authorities, studying their results, and submitting recommendations thereon to the Chairman.
6. Evaluating the impact of the application of the national qualifications system on the targets and outcomes of education quality, and submitting the related developmental recommendations and policies to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
7. Evaluating the impact of the application of the professional licensing system for educational cadres and professional development programs on the targets and outcomes of education quality, and submitting the related developmental recommendations and policies to the Ministry of Education.
8. Measuring and evaluating the experience of students and guardians and surveying the opinions of the community and stakeholders on the quality of education outcomes in the State, in coordination with the educational authorities and other concerned authorities, preparing reports on the results and submitting them to the Chairman, and proposing necessary recommendations and developmental policies to improve the experience of the student and guardian and to enhance community confidence in the quality of education.
9. Evaluating the impact of the application of the educational curricula system on the targets and outcomes of education quality in coordination with the Ministry of Education and submitting the related developmental recommendations and policies to the Council.
10. Establishing the framework and controls for monitoring, collecting, making available, using, and publishing education quality data at the state level, in coordination with educational authorities and other concerned authorities, analyzing data and submitting periodic reports on the quality of education in the State to the Chairman for submission to the Cabinet.
11. Holding conferences, seminars, and workshops related to the Center's field of work, in coordination with the concerned authorities in the State.
12. Conducting specialized studies and research in areas related to the Center's competences, including monitoring and analyzing phenomena, risks, and regional and international trends.
13. Proposing accession to or signing of international treaties and agreements, and proposing memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements with countries, organizations, and Gulf, regional, and international bodies related to the Center's competences or accession to them, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the concerned authorities.
14. Any other tasks assigned to it pursuant to laws, regulations, or resolutions issued by the Cabinet or the Chairman.

Article (10) Education Quality Database

1. The Center shall establish an electronic database in which all education quality data related to educational institutions, their staff, and students at all educational stages in the public and private sectors are recorded, as well as other data related to the Center's competences.
2. A decision shall be issued by the Chairman specifying:
    a. The data and information that the database shall include, the procedures for their recording, and the mechanisms for linking it with the databases of the Ministry of Education, local educational authorities, and other concerned authorities.
    b. The controls for making available, using, and publishing the data and information referred to in this Article, and any amendments thereto.
 

Article (11) General Secretariat

1. The Council shall have a General Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General, whose appointment and grade shall be determined by a Federal Decree.
2. The Secretary-General shall be the legal representative of the Council and its units before third parties and the judiciary, in accordance with the powers vested in them.

Article (12) Competences of the General Secretariat

The General Secretariat shall provide full support to the Council in implementing its competences and enabling it to achieve its objectives, including the exercise of the following competences:
1. Preparing and proposing policies, strategies, legislations, regulations, systems, initiatives, and programs related to the Council for its approval, and following up on the implementation of those approved.
2. Establishing a governance mechanism between the federal and local government authorities related to the Council's scope of work, and following up on the coordination of work between these authorities to ensure the speed and smoothness of completion.
3. Proposing and preparing the necessary work plans for the proper functioning of the Council and its units and getting them approved by the Chairman, and following up on the implementation of the approved plans, programs, and projects.
4. Supporting the Council in defining the vision, strategic directions, general frameworks, and targets for the education, human development, and community sectors, following up on their implementation after approval, and submitting periodic reports to the Council on the results achieved.
5. Supporting the Council in studying and reviewing the policies, strategies, legislations, regulations, systems, and frameworks related to the education, human development, and community sectors submitted to the Council by the concerned federal government authorities.
6. Supporting the Council in studying and reviewing the general framework of the national curriculum and cases of establishment, closure, merger, and separation of federal public general education institutions, and the frameworks, regulations, and mechanisms related to compliance and oversight of public and higher education institutions.
7. Supporting the Council in studying and reviewing the results of student performance in general education in all tests, and the results of the classification and evaluation of higher education institutions.
8. Supporting the Council in preparing policies for the management of specialized human resources and financial resources in the concerned federal government authorities in coordination with the relevant entities.
9. Supporting the Council in reviewing the strategic plans, annual budgets, and organizational structures of the concerned federal government authorities and in monitoring their performance.
10. Proposing and preparing decisions related to the formation and determination of the tasks and work system of the permanent and temporary committees and work teams from among the members of the Council, employees in the Council's units, or experts and specialists from federal and local government authorities to prepare the necessary studies and to implement some of the Council's competences, and following up on the achievements of these committees and teams and submitting reports thereon to the Council.
11. Submitting periodic reports to the Council that include an analysis of the current situation in the education, human development, and community sectors, evaluating strengths and challenges, and proposing measures to address them, in coordination with the relevant concerned authorities.
12. Submitting periodic reports to the Chairman on the most important decisions and achievements realized by the Council, its units, and the concerned federal government authorities, and proposing necessary regulations, procedures, initiatives, and policies that contribute to improving and developing performance.
13. Preparing and implementing qualification and training plans and programs for the employees of the Council and its units.
14. Proposing and preparing the agenda and minutes of the meetings of the Council, its committees, and its affiliated work teams in coordination with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, preserving the records and logs related to the Council's meetings, and following up on the decisions and directives issued by the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
15. Preparing the draft organizational structure, internal regulations, and systems related to financial, technical, and human resources affairs of the Council, including the Center and the General Secretariat, and submitting them to the Chairman.
16. Preparing the draft annual budgets of the Council and its final account and submitting them to the Chairman.
17. Following up on the internal and external audit reports of the Council and its units, and the reports of the UAE Accountability Authority, and working to close them in coordination with the concerned authorities.
18. Supporting the Council in preparing comparisons, studies, and specialized research related to the competences of the Council and its units, including monitoring and analyzing phenomena, risks, and regional and international trends.
19. Preparing policies and plans related to the gradual application of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in the education, human development, and community sectors.
20. Establishing and managing a comprehensive database of data and information related to education, human development, and the community, including free zones, in coordination with the concerned authorities and ensuring the achievement of integration in the exchange of information and data.
21. Supporting the Council in coordinating with the concerned local authorities regarding the integration and alignment of policies and strategies related to the education, human development, and community sectors relevant to the scope of the Council's competences.
22. Supporting the Chairman of the Council in reviewing the proposals of the concerned federal government authorities regarding the appointment or dismissal of employees whose appointment or dismissal requires a decree or a Cabinet resolution.
23. Opening and managing bank accounts on behalf of the Council within the State in accordance with the regulations and systems applicable in the Council.
24. Appointing employees in the General Secretariat and issuing decisions in accordance with the regulations and systems applicable in the Council, and signing correspondence issued by the Council, in accordance with the competences specified in this Decree by Law.
25. Any other tasks assigned to it by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.
 

Article (13) Cooperation with the Council

1. The concerned federal government authorities shall submit the policies, strategies, legislations, and regulations related to the competences vested in the Council in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law to the Council for review and approval before submitting them to the Cabinet for adoption.
2. Federal and local government authorities and private sector establishments, including free zones related to education, human development, and the community, shall provide the Council with the data, statistics, information, and studies it requests to achieve its objectives and implement its competences, and to facilitate the work of the Council's employees in preparing studies and verifying the accuracy of data and information related thereto.
3. Federal and local government authorities related to the Council's competences shall cooperate with the Council to implement the decisions issued by it in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law and the resolutions issued by the Cabinet.

Article (14) Human Resources

1. The Council, including the Center and the General Secretariat, shall have a special human resources system approved by a decision of the Chairman after the approval of the Chairman of the Presidential Court. In the absence of a special provision in the regulations and systems applicable in the Council or until their issuance, the human resources legislations applicable in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi shall apply to the employees, as determined by the Chairman of the Presidential Court.
2. The provisions of the pensions and retirement benefits law applicable in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi shall apply to the national employees of the Council, as determined by the Chairman of the Presidential Court.

Article (15) Financial Resources

The Council shall have a special system for managing and regulating its financial, contractual, accounting, and procurement resources, approved by a resolution of the Chairman after the approval of the Chairman of the Presidential Court. The financial resources of the Council shall consist of:
1. The annual financial appropriations allocated to the Council from the Presidential Court.
2. Donations, grants, and sponsorships offered to the Council and approved by the Chairman, provided they do not conflict with the Council's objectives.
3. Any other resources realized by the Council from the exercise of its competences.
4. Any additional financial appropriations allocated for the Council by the Presidential Court.
5. Any other financial resources approved by the Chairman.

Article (16) Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Council shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year, provided that the first fiscal year of the Council shall commence from the date of the entry into force of the provisions of this Decree by Law and end on the thirty-first day of December of the following year.

Article (17) Auditing of Accounts

The Council may appoint one or more external auditors, if the need arises, and determine their fees, provided that they shall audit the accounts and financial statements of the Council and its units in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and the international accounting standards in the federal government sector, and shall submit their periodic and annual reports to the Council regularly and within the specified timeframes.

Article (18) Assets, Properties, Allocations, and Employees of the Council

The employees of the Education and Human Resources Council shall be transferred to the Council without prejudice to their salaries, financial benefits, and job grades, provided that their statuses are regularized in accordance with the regulations and systems applicable in the Council. All assets, properties, rights, obligations, and the budget of the programs, initiatives, and projects supervised by the Education and Human Resources Council shall also be transferred to the Council.

Article (19) Executive Resolutions

Without prejudice to the powers prescribed for the Cabinet in this Decree by Law and the applicable legislations in the State, the Chairman shall issue the decisions and regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Decree by Law.

Article (20) Repeals

1. Federal Decree by Law No. (44) of 2022 Regarding the Establishment of the National Center for Education Quality and Cabinet Resolution No. (5/39W/2) of 2016 is hereby repealed. Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Decree by Law is also hereby repealed.
2. The regulations and decisions in force at the National Center for Education Quality and the Education and Human Resources Council shall remain in effect, to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of this Decree by Law, until they are superseded.

Article (21) Publication and Entry into Force of the Decree by Law

This Decree by Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on 1 January 2025.

Translated in cooperation with