The UAE’s education sector witnessed a wide-ranging set of development measures throughout 2025, including curriculum updates, a strong focus on future technologies, and major enhancements to higher education and scholarship systems.
1. The year 2025 was marked by the launch of initiatives aimed at nurturing talent and stimulating scientific research, most notably the new Zayed Education Foundation, which aims to support 100,000 young talents by 2035, preparing them to lead in science, economy, and sustainability.
2. Artificial intelligence becomes a core subject.
The year also saw the introduction of artificial intelligence as a compulsory subject from kindergarten through Grade 12, positioning the UAE among the first countries worldwide to integrate AI into school curricula.
3. Updated school streams for cycle 3 students in public and private schools with two options introduced:
Advanced Stream for students aiming for medicine, engineering, and science.
General Stream for students interested in humanities, arts, business, law, and social sciences.
4. Arabic, Islamic, and social studies
The ministry also approved a mandatory framework for teaching the Arabic language, Islamic education and social concepts in kindergartens at private schools, covering all approved curricula.
5. New rules for studying abroad
The Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD) adopted new criteria for students pursuing higher education abroad, aimed at enhancing their readiness for the labour market and regulating scholarship programmes in line with national priorities and key economic sectors.
6. New school-age cut-off rule
Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, the official age cut-off will shift to 31st December of the admission year for all schools and kindergartens whose academic calendars begin in August or September. Previously, the cut-off date was 31st August. These dates will apply to new students in kindergarten and Grade One from the 2026–2027 academic year.
7. ADEK’s Pre-Departure Week
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) launched its Pre-Departure Week programme to prepare 300 students from ADEK Scholarship programmes for their upcoming academic journeys abroad.
8. Changes in testing and assessments
Centralised tests at the end of the second semester have been removed and replaced with school-based summative assessments, with centralised tests remaining only in the first and third semesters.
9. Expansion of project-based learning
The second phase of the Project-Based Learning and Assessment (PBLA) system has been approved, now extending to all Cycle 2 students in public and private schools following the MoE curriculum. The update also includes developing the national assessment system, increasing Arabic instruction time in kindergartens, and dedicating daily hours for Cycle 1 students to strengthen language skills.
10. Teacher development programme launched
The Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher, in coordination with the Emirates College for Advanced Education, introduced the “Executive Educational Excellence Pioneers” programme to train award-winning teachers to become leaders in education reform.
11. New government scholarships
The Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships initiative was launched, offering a range of programmes. Its first phase includes scholarships for master’s degrees in economic and public policy, as well as artificial intelligence in the government sector.
12. New university campus opens
In October, a new campus of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities was inaugurated in Madinat Zayed in the Al Dhafra region as part of the university’s strategic plans for local expansion. The branch will offer specialised programmes in Islamic and social studies and humanitarian work, reinforcing the values of citizenship, tolerance and coexistence.
© Khaleej Times
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