Law No. (8) of 2023 On Department of Knowledge in Ras Al Khaimah (This Law had been amended by Law (4) of 2024) We, Saud bin Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah After perusal of: Federal Decree-Law No. (18) of 2020 on Private Education, Federal Decree-Law No. (39) of 2022 on Compulsory Education, Emiri Decree No. 38 of 2014 on Establishing Academic Free Zone Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, Law No. 2 of 2017 on Establishing Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones and the Supervisory Authority, Law No. 1 of 2013 on Government Human Resources, Law No. 4 of 2012 on Government Lawsuits, have promulgated the following Law: Name of the Law Article (1) This law shall be named "Law No. 8 of 2023 on Department of Knowledge in Ras Al Khaimah". Definitions Article (2) The following words and phrases, wherever mentioned in this law, shall have the meanings assigned hereto, unless the context indicates otherwise: State: United Arab Emirates. Emirate: Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The Ruler: His Highness Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Ministry: Ministry of Education. Free Zones: All free zones in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah including but not limited to Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones Authority. Department: Department of Knowledge in Ras Al Khaimah. The Board: Department's Board of Directors. Chief Executive Officer: The Chief Executive Officer of the Department. Education Stages: All stages of private ducation in which students of all ages and scientific levels are being educated, including kindergartens, early education, school education, higher education, vocational training, continuing education and any other stage determined by the Department. Scope of Application Article (3) 1. The provisions of this law shall apply to all private educational institutions licensed to operate in the Emirate, including free zones and educational and administrative cadres working therein. 2. Notwithstanding what had been stated in paragraph (1) of this Article, the provisions of this law and the resolutions issued hereunder shall apply to higher education institutions located outside the free zones in the Emirate to the extent they do not contradict with the federal legislations regulating the work of such institutions. Establishment & Headquarters of Department Article (4) 1. An independent department to be called Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge shall be established in the Emirate. Such Department shall be independent, have legal personality and enjoy financial, administrative and legal independence in all its affairs. The same shall have the legal capacity necessary to carry out all business and actions that ensure achievement of its objectives. 2. The headquarters of the Department shall be in the city of Ras Al Khaimah. However, under a resolution from Director-General, it is permissible to open offices thereof inside and outside the Emirate. Objectives of the Department Article (5) In coordination with the Ministry of Education, Department aims to the follows: 1. Regulate private education sector in the Emirate, at all stages of education. 2. Achieve competitiveness and operational efficiency of the educational sector elements, and ensure the quality of the outputs of educational and training process, in order to achieve sustainable development. 3. Improve educational services in the Emirate, in accordance with the approved policies and strategic plans and in accordance with the best international practices applied in this regard. 4. Achieve the desired results intended from the educational sector and provide educational services and options for all students, including persons with disabilities and those with special educational needs. 5. Ensure that students are receiving appropriate education and protect them from any abuses that may hinder their educational career. 6. Enhance the Emirate's position as a leading destination in the educational and training fields. 7. Attract the best educational institutions, training centers and institutes and leading research and studies centers worldwide to take the Emirate as a center for practicing business thereof, and encourage them to invest in the educational sector. 8. Promote and support innovation and future foresight in all educational fields. 9. Build an integrated educational system at all stages of education. Department Competences Article (6) In order to achieve its objectives and in accordance with the federal and local legislations in force in the Emirate and in coordination with the federal and local authorities, when necessary, Department shall undertake the following duties and competences: 1. Develop strategic plans and general policies related to regulation and development of education and human development in the Emirate, submit the same to the Board to be approved and follow up their implementation after being approved. 2. Set the controls and standards necessary to develop and improve the quality of education and its management methods at all stages of education. 3. Organize educational and training services provided by educational institutions, in accordance with the vision of the Emirate and the State and the requirements of labor market. 4. Adopt controls, standards and procedures necessary for distance education, in the cases it decides in this regard, as per stages of education. 5. Set and develop programs and initiatives which aim to ensure the enrollment of Emirati students in private educational institutions which level shall not be less than the standards determined and set by the Department from time to time, and overcome all difficulties that may affect their educational career. 6. Set and develop policies, programs and systems for the comprehensive educational system, and submit the necessary reports thereon to the Board. 7. Issue permits to educational institutions in the Emirate in order to practice their educational and academic activities in accordance with the directives determined in coordination with the Ministry. 8. Supervise and inspect educational institutions, academics and employees therein, to ensure their compliance with the standards, regulations and controls approved with the Department and its affiliated institutions in this regard. 9. Set the controls necessary to ensure the right to education for all students, and protect them from all forms of violence, abuse or bullying which they may experience. 10. Manage, regulate and permit the media content of advertisements in the educational and training fields in the Emirate, control and supervie the same. 11. Provide training, awareness and development programs necessary for UAE students, including persons with disabilities in order to ensure their increased participation in labor market. 12. Work to provide education at all levels to various segments of society at considered and affordable prices. 13. Conduct studies and researches in whichever related to the educational process in the Emirate, determining Emirate’s need of educational institutions at all education stages, work to align investment projects in the educational sector with the results of such studies and researches and reporting these results and recommendations to the Board to direct what it deems appropriate. 14. Propose and review the draft legislations regulating the educational sector and report recommendations that would update and develop the same to the competent government authorities in the Emirate in order to ensure that these legislations are in line with various developments. 15. Coordinate with federal and local government authorities in all matters related to the Department's exercise of its competences stipulated in this law and the legislations in force in the Emirate, in order to achieve the objectives and strategies of the Emirate in the educational sector at all stages of education. 16. Set necessary rules to determine and increase school fees and monitor the compliance of educational institutions with these rules. 17. Any other duties or competences necessary to enable the Authority to achieve its objectives stipulated in this Law. Department's Board of Directors Article (7) 1. The Department shall be administered by a board consisting of a chairman and number of members to be appointed by a resolution from the Ruler. 2. The Board shall convene at least four times a year and whenever necessary if so requested by the Chairman or one-third of the members. 3. A meeting of Board of Directors shall be duly convened if attended by the Chairman or his authorized representative and not less than half of members. In all cases, meeting of the Board shall be duly convened only by the appearance of the Chairman or his authorized representative. 4. The Board shall pass its resolutions by a majority of votes of those present at the meeting. In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have the casting vote. 5. The Chairman and members of the Board shall have the right to authorize other members to appear and vote at meetings of the Board. 6. The Board shall have all the powers necessary to manage the Department, including but not limited to the following: a. Approve policies and strategic plans aimed at achieving the objectives of the Department. b. Issue the resolutions and directives necessary for the implementation of this law. c. Approve the laws and regulations necessary for the management of the Department affairs. d. Discuss and approve the reports submitted by the Chief Executive Officer. e. Approve the proposed annual budget of the Department and its closing account. f. Prepare an annual report on the works and activities of the Department. g. Approve the Department fees and applicable exemptions. h. Set up committees to carry out the work of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer Article (8) 1. The Department shall have a Chief Executive Officer to be appointed by a resolution from the Board. 2. The Chief Executive Officer shall manage the Department and generally supervise its implementation of the duties and competences entrusted thereto under this Law, the resolutions rendered hereunder, the legislations in force in the Emirate, the strategic plans and approved policies, and conduct the Department's affairs in order to ensure the achievement of its objectives and the performance of the competences entrusted thereto. 3. The Chief Executive Officer shall manage the affairs of the Department with a view to ensuring the achievement of its objectives and the performance of its duties. In particular and to this extent, he shall carry out the following tasks and competences: a- Develop the general policy of the Department and its affiliated institutions, its plans, work programs and projects, supervise their proper implementation, and report the same to the competent government authorities in the Emirate to be approved. b- Approve the draft annual budget of the Department and its affiliated institutions, and their closing accounts and present the same to the Board of Directors for approval. c- Approve the organizational structure of the Department and its affiliated institutions and present the same to the Board of Directors for approval. d- Propose fees and services charges provided by the Department and its affiliated institutions, and submit the same to the Board for approval. e- Approve the resolutions and regulations related to the organization of work in the Department and its affiliated institutions in terms of administrative, financial and technical aspects and submit the same to the Board for approval. f- Supervise generally the work of executive body of the Department, conduct its technical, administrative and financial affairs and ensure that the executive body of the Department performs the duties entrusted thereto efficiently and effectively. g- Approve the system of performance indicators for the executive body of the Department and its affiliated institutions and submit the same to the Board for approval. h- Represent the Department in its relations with third parties and conclude contracts, agreements and memorandums of understanding with local, regional and international authorities in accordance with the applicable legislations. i- Submit periodic reports on the performance of the Department and its affiliated institutions to the Board. j- Set up permanent and temporary committees and team works in order to assist him in performing his duties, whether from the employees of the Department, its affiliated institutions or others, and determine the duties and competences of such committees and team works. k- Any other duties or competences assigned to him by the Board of Directors. 4. The Executive Body of the Department shall have number of financial, administrative and technical staff who shall be subject to the Government Human Resources Law No. 1 of 2013 Financial Resources of the Department Article (9) The financial resources of the Department consist of the following: 1. The financial provisions allocated thereto in the general budget of Ras Al Khaimah Government. 2. The financial fees and charges collected thereby in consideration of the licenses, permits and services which it provides. 3. Grants, gifts, donations, bequests and endowments received by the Department and its affiliated institutions and accepted by Director General in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard. 4. Any other resources approved by the Board. Regulate Accounts, Registries and Fiscal Year Article (10) While regulating its accounts and registries, the Department and its affiliated institutions shall apply the rules and principles of government accounting. The fiscal year of the Department begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st of each year. Issue Executive Resolutions Article (11) The Chairman of the Board shall issue the resolutions necessary to implement provisions of this Law. Penalties & Fines Article (12) 1. The Department may impose any of the following administrative penalties on whoever violates provisions of this law and executive regulations, policies, resolutions and circulars thereof: a- Notice. b- Warning. c- Fine d- Subject establishment to financial, administrative and technical supervision. e- Temporary suspension of the activity. f- Cancellation or suspension of the license. g- Temporary or permanent closure of the establishment. 2. The type and level of fines for each violation shall be approved by a resolution from the Board based on recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. General Provisions Article (13) 1. The financial laws and regulations approved by Department of Finance in Ras Al Khaimah shall apply to the Department. 2. The Government Human Resources Law No. 1 of 2013 and its regulations shall apply to the employees of the Department. 3. All matters related to information technology of the Department shall be entrusted to Electronic Government Authority in the Emirate. 4. Law No. 4 of 2012 on Government Lawsuits shall apply to any lawsuits filed by or against the Department. 5. The employees of Department appointed by a resolution from the Attorney General based on recommendation of Director General shall have the capacity of judicial officers to prove acts committed in violation of provisions of this law and resolutions issued thereunder. They shall also have the right to enter companies and establishments subject to this law and to seek the assistance of police personnel when necessary. Article (14) Any provision of any other legislation shall be repealed to the extent it contradicts with provisions of this Law. Article (15) This Law shall come into force as date of its promulgation, and shall be published in the Official Gazette. Saud Bin Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Promulgated by us on this day Second of Dhul-Hijjah, 1444 H. Corresponding to Twentieth of June, 2023 G.