ADEK Mandates 240 Minutes Of Arabic Instruction Weekly For Kindergartens Starting Fall 2025

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has unveiled a policy to integrate Arabic into all private and charter kindergartens across the emirate. Starting from Pre-KG to KG2, this initiative will commence in Fall 2025. The aim is to root children in their linguistic heritage, fostering a strong foundation in their mother tongue from the outset.

Under this new policy, young learners will receive 240 minutes of structured Arabic instruction weekly. This will increase to 300 minutes per week by the 2026/27 academic year. The curriculum is designed to ensure consistent, high-quality language education for both native speakers and beginners during this crucial developmental phase.

ADEK's recent survey highlighted that while Arabic is commonly spoken at home, many children lack confidence in using it. This policy aims to bridge that gap by involving schools and families in keeping the language vibrant. Learning methods will include play, storytelling, songs, and exploration to make Arabic engaging for children.

The curriculum offers two tracks: one for native speakers to deepen their skills and another for non-native speakers and newcomers. This ensures tailored support for each child's level of proficiency. Specially trained teachers and modern materials will make Arabic an exciting part of daily learning.

Parents play a crucial role in this journey. Schools will provide tools and updates so families can participate actively. Whether it's practicing new words at home or joining Arabic-themed school events, parental involvement is encouraged to reinforce learning outside the classroom.

Mariam Al Hallami, Executive Director Early Education, stated, "This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons. It’s about giving every child in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity, and connection starting from day one." The goal is for Arabic to feel natural and interactive in every classroom and home.

Long-term Vision

This initiative aligns with ADEK’s broader vision of making Arabic a lived experience rather than just an academic subject. The policy also connects early education with mandatory Cycle 1 Arabic instruction as per Ministry of Education guidelines, ensuring continuous language development from nursery through primary school.

Research supports that young children are most effective at learning languages early on. For them, Arabic represents more than just a subject; it embodies identity, values, and heritage. This initiative seeks to nurture these aspects from the earliest years of education.

The new kindergarten curriculum reflects ADEK's commitment to embedding Arabic deeply into children's lives. By fostering a sense of belonging through language, ADEK aims to cultivate confident speakers who are connected to their culture and community.

With inputs from WAM