Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
The Ministry of Education (MoE), in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office, held a media briefing to share its plans and preparations for the academic year 2025–2026. The briefing was attended by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, along with senior officials and representatives from local media. The purpose was to inform the public about developments aligned with national education priorities.
Ensuring Schools Are Ready
Sarah Al Amiri explained that the MoE has been working since January to make sure public schools are ready for the new academic year. Preparations include improvements in school facilities, teaching methods, and advanced curricula. She highlighted that qualitative updates this year aim to boost national education competitiveness, including important changes to the assessment policy.
New Assessment System
Centralised tests at the end of the second semester have been removed and replaced with school-based summative assessments. Centralised tests will remain only in the first and third semesters. This new system is designed to use school days efficiently, provide varied assessment tools, improve learning and teaching quality, support student wellbeing, and adjust semester weights according to updated policies.
Project-Based Learning Expansion
Al Amiri announced the second phase of the Project-Based Learning and Assessment (PBLA) system, now covering all Cycle 2 students in public and private schools following the MoE curriculum. The first phase successfully engaged 127,500 students across 350 schools. This initiative helps students develop critical thinking and practical skills through hands-on projects.
National Testing System Upgrade
The MoE is also developing a national testing system with a new standardised proficiency test. This test will measure Arabic, English, and mathematics skills for grades 4–11 in public schools. The first phase is expected to include 26,000 students, helping teachers understand student abilities and improve learning outcomes.
Strengthening National Identity
The Ministry continues to focus on Arabic language and Islamic education to strengthen national identity and student character. The new plan increases teaching time for both subjects in kindergarten, and Cycle-1 students will receive daily hours to reinforce Arabic reading and writing. This is achieved by redistributing class periods without adding extra school hours.
Arabic Baseline Assessment
A new Arabic baseline assessment will be introduced for Grade 1 students in 100 public and private schools. This will help identify students’ skill levels, provide tailored support programs, and gradually improve Arabic proficiency across schools.
Opening New Schools and Facilities
Al Amiri announced the opening of nine new schools across several emirates, which will serve over 25,000 students and employ more than 800 new teachers. In addition, more than 460 existing schools have been maintained and equipped, 5,500 buses allocated, over 10 million textbooks printed, and 47,000 laptops distributed to students.
Enhancing Student Wellbeing
Mohammed Al Qasim, Under-Secretary of MoE, highlighted the new Physical Education, Sports, and Health Programme in public schools. The first phase promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, improves school health environments, organizes sports tournaments, restructures PE classes, and introduces healthy meals for students.
Strengthening Parent and Teacher Partnerships
The MoE continues to partner with parents and educators to shape the national education system. This year, a participatory educational vision was developed to increase their involvement in decision-making. Ta’aleem Councils are being restructured: School Leadership Council (14 members), Teachers Council (14 members), Young Teachers Council (7 members), and 520 Parents’ Councils with 6,140 members nationwide.
‘From Skill to Leadership’ Campaign
The MoE launched an educational campaign called ‘From Skill to Leadership’ to engage educators, parents, and the community. The campaign has three main pillars: Exploration (creating inspiring school environments to discover talent), Development (enhancing skills through partnerships and training), and Excellence (encouraging participation in local and international competitions).
New Programmes for Motivation
Two programmes will launch in the first month: ‘My Inspiring Family’, which involves parents, and ‘Inspiring People in the Field’, which aims to motivate students on their educational journey. These initiatives help students connect their learning with real-world examples and family support.
Introducing AI Curriculum
For the first time in the UAE, the MoE will introduce a nationally developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum. This curriculum will teach students how to use AI responsibly and effectively in daily life. About 1,000 teachers will implement the lessons across all grades. The curriculum will combine insights from local and international communities to prepare students for future challenges.
Teacher Training and Capacity Building
The Ministry continues to improve the skills of educational staff through advanced training programmes. More than 23,000 educators participated in a specialised training week, totaling 170 hours across 40 workshops for leaders and teachers and 20 workshops for support staff.
Educational Competency Assessment Project
Next year, the Educational Competency Assessment Project will assess more than 12,000 staff members in kindergarten and Cycle 1, and 11,000 staff members in Cycle 2 and Cycle 3. The project aims to define clear career paths, empower staff, and align them with the national education system requirements.
Preparing for a Bright Future
Through these initiatives, the UAE Ministry of Education is strengthening schools, improving learning quality, and supporting teachers and students. The focus on AI education, project-based learning, Arabic and Islamic studies, wellbeing, and parental involvement ensures that the upcoming academic year will be productive, innovative, and aligned with national priorities.
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