The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has rolled out new educational requirements for all private kindergartens, starting from the 2025–2026 academic year. These regulations affect Arabic language, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies curricula.
Arabic Language Instruction Becomes Daily Requirement
Private schools must offer 200 minutes of Arabic language instruction per week, broken down into daily 40-minute lessons for kindergarten students. Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, this daily Arabic class will increase to 60 minutes.
Islamic Studies Mandated for Muslim Students
All Muslim kindergarteners will receive 90 minutes of Islamic Studies per week. Schools may organize this as three 30-minute sessions or two 45-minute sessions, ensuring consistent religious education at an early age.
Social Studies Curriculum Emphasizes UAE Identity
The Ministry has also approved structured guidelines for Social Studies, integrating:
- UAE family values
- Local geography and environment
- Cultural heritage
- Broader social awareness
Educators will use a play-based learning approach both inside and outside the classroom to deliver these concepts effectively.
Instructional Support and Monitoring to Ensure Compliance
To help schools meet these new standards, the Ministry of Education will deliver instructional frameworks and defined learning outcomes for Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies before the new academic year begins. Additionally, the Ministry will launch regular advisory visits and compliance inspections starting in 2026–2027, in coordination with local education authorities.
