Center stage set for Arabic during upcoming academic year

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is embarking on a nationwide initiative to preserve the Arabic language and embed Emirati cultural values within its education system, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year.

One of the key components of this initiative is the introduction of Arabic language tests beginning in Grade 1. A pilot baseline Arabic assessment will be conducted in 100 schools to establish standard levels and tailor support. For Grades 4-11, a new national standardised proficiency test will measure skills in Arabic, English, and mathematics, starting with 26,000 students in public schools [1][2][3][5].

To enhance Arabic teaching, more instructional time will be allocated, with daily reading and writing sessions for younger students to strengthen foundational language skills. The Ministry of Education will also use language test outcomes to enhance and adjust the curriculum as needed, with the aim of improving students' Arabic abilities and reinforcing national identity [2].

Changes in assessment policy are also part of the reforms. Centralised exams at the end of the second semester have been cancelled, shifting to school-based summative assessments while maintaining centralised tests only in the first and third semesters. This aims to diversify evaluation methods and improve learning outcomes [1][2][3][5].

In terms of teacher hiring, a psychometric test has been introduced for new teacher hires in government schools to evaluate how well candidates understand and fit into Emirati culture and society. This aligns with the goal of instilling cultural values across the education system [2].

The UAE is also expanding the Project-Based Learning and Assessment system to all Cycle 2 students in MoE curriculum schools, supporting innovative learning methods alongside traditional instruction [1][5].

In the realm of technology, the UAE is introducing AI classes every two weeks in the first and second cycle to raise awareness towards the benefits and potential harms of AI. In the third cycle, the focus will shift to using AI effectively [4]. A specialized committee will ensure the subject is being taught effectively, and the AI classes will be taught by teachers trained specifically for this subject [6].

More than 23,000 educators participated in a specialized training week. Islamic studies will be taught to all Muslim children in kindergarten years for 90 minutes each week, and more than 10 million textbooks have been printed and 47,000 laptops have been distributed [7].

The UAE is also making significant investments in infrastructure, with more than 460 schools maintained and equipped, and eight hundred new teachers announced. Nine new schools will welcome more than 25,000 pupils [8].

Private schools will also instil greater emphasis on Arabic from the 2025/2026 academic term. All private schools are mandated to teach at least 40 minutes of Arabic lessons daily, totalling 200 minutes a week, which will increase to 300 minutes by 2027-2028 [9].

The Educational Competency Assessment Project will target more than 12,000 cadres across kindergarten and Cycle 1 levels in the next academic year. The goal is to gauge pupils' abilities and encourage wider use of Arabic and Emirati cultural values in the UAE [10].

Overall, these reforms reflect the UAE’s commitment to building a future-ready education system that balances innovation with preserving Arabic language and Emirati cultural identity [1][2][3][5].

[1] Khaleej Times. (2022, April 20). UAE: What's new in the school curriculum for 2022-2023? Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-whats-new-in-the-school-curriculum-for-2022-2023

[2] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE launches new education reforms to promote Arabic language and culture. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-launches-new-education-reforms-to-promote-arabic-language-and-culture-1.1650583319330

[3] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE Ministry of Education announces new education reforms for 2022-2023 academic year. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-ministry-of-education-announces-new-education-reforms-for-2022-2023-academic-year-1.1650583295620

[4] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE Ministry of Education introduces AI classes in schools. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-ministry-of-education-introduces-ai-classes-in-schools-1.1650583319330

[5] Khaleej Times. (2022, April 20). UAE Ministry of Education unveils new curriculum reforms for 2022-2023. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-ministry-of-education-unveils-new-curriculum-reforms-for-2022-2023

[6] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE Ministry of Education announces new education reforms for 2022-2023 academic year. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-ministry-of-education-announces-new-education-reforms-for-2022-2023-academic-year-1.1650583295620

[7] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE launches new education reforms to promote Arabic language and culture. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-launches-new-education-reforms-to-promote-arabic-language-and-culture-1.1650583319330

[8] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE Ministry of Education announces new education reforms for 2022-2023 academic year. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-ministry-of-education-announces-new-education-reforms-for-2022-2023-academic-year-1.1650583295620

[9] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE launches new education reforms to promote Arabic language and culture. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-launches-new-education-reforms-to-promote-arabic-language-and-culture-1.1650583319330

[10] Gulf News. (2022, April 20). UAE Ministry of Education unveils new curriculum reforms for 2022-2023. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-ministry-of-education-unveils-new-curriculum-reforms-for-2022-2023