The UAE Ministry of Education has announced new curriculum reforms that will take effect from the 2025-2026 academic year across all private schools in the country. These reforms are aimed at strengthening national identity and cultural understanding from an early age.

Daily Arabic Classes for Kindergarten Students.

Arabic language instruction will become mandatory for all kindergarten students in private schools, regardless of the curriculum they follow. Schools must conduct 40-minute daily Arabic lessons, totaling 200 minutes per week. Starting from the 2027-2028 academic year, this will increase to 60 minutes per day to ensure deeper language proficiency at the foundational level.

Islamic Studies for Muslim KG Students.

Muslim kindergarten students will receive 90 minutes of Islamic Studies per week. Schools can choose to deliver this content through either three 30-minute lessons or two 45-minute lessons, allowing flexibility while maintaining consistency in religious education.

Social Studies with a Play-Based Approach.

Social Studies will also be introduced at the KG level with a play-based instruction model, both inside and outside the classroom. The curriculum will include key topics such as family, UAE geography, local environment, social values, and broader social concepts, promoting early awareness of community and culture.

Support and Monitoring from the Ministry!

To ensure smooth implementation, the Ministry of Education will provide private schools with detailed instructional frameworks and learning outcomes for Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies before the 2025/2026 academic year begins. Advisory visits will be conducted to guide schools, and formal inspections will start from the 2026-2027 academic year in partnership with local educational authorities.

A Unified Move Towards Cultural Integration.

These new guidelines are a significant step towards enhancing language skills and cultural awareness among young learners in the UAE. They reflect the country’s continued efforts to instill national values from the earliest stages of education.

Stay tuned to iknowuae.com for more updates on education and policy in the UAE.