As the UAE prepares for its first-term central examinations commencing on November 20, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has emphasized the critical importance of maintaining academic integrity. The MoE has reiterated its commitment to fairness and honesty in national assessments by reinforcing the ‘Guide to Combating Cheating and Exam Misconduct.’ This guide outlines strict rules and penalties to ensure a level playing field for all students, teachers, and school staff. The document underscores the principles of fairness, honesty, and equal opportunity, while holding all parties accountable for any violations. The MoE’s reminder comes at a crucial time, as schools, students, and parents gear up for the upcoming exams. The guide is backed by Federal Law No. 33 of 2023, which treats cheating as a legal offence, reflecting the UAE’s serious stance on educational integrity. Schools are required to disseminate the guide, conduct awareness programs, and form internal supervisory committees to monitor exams. Random inspection visits by education authorities will ensure compliance. Penalties for cheating include zero marks in the subject, a 12-point deduction from conduct scores, and, in severe cases, referral to behavioral rehabilitation programs. Teachers and staff who aid in cheating face fines up to Dh200,000 and administrative penalties. The MoE urges students to take pride in honest effort and encourages parents to model values of integrity at home. Academic integrity, the MoE stresses, is foundational to learning, personal growth, and the credibility of the UAE’s education system.
Don’t even think about cheating: Rules and penalties that every student needs to know
