Abu Dhabi private schools must now apply for field trips through online portal

ABU DHABI // A streamlined approval system for extra-curricular school activities has been welcomed as a “step in the right direction” by teachers in Abu Dhabi.

From March 15, all private schools planning to take pupils outside the city must submit applications through the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (Adec) website.

Wayne MacInnis, principal of Raha International School, said trips in the capital, while still requiring documentation, could take place without Adec approval.

“The great thing about it is that although we will still need to get all the parental permission and risk assessment documents, that can be done by the school,” he said.

About 90 per cent of field trips by his school are for events in and about the city.

“Although we still have to apply to go on trips outside Abu Dhabi, using the new online system, it should be much faster to get permission for these as Adec will be handling fewer applications.”

Rules banning children under the age of 12 from extra-curricular activities outside Abu Dhabi remain in force, he said.

Read more