UAE Ministry Makes Arabic, Islamic & Social Studies Mandatory In All Private Kindergartens From 2025

The UAE Ministry of Education has approved new guidelines for teaching Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies in private kindergartens. Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, these guidelines will be mandatory across all private schools in the UAE, regardless of the curriculum followed. This initiative aims to instil national values and pride in young children.

By introducing these subjects early, the Ministry seeks to enhance children's understanding of their national identity and mother tongue. The focus is on nurturing a generation that values family, society, and the UAE's geography and environment. The Ministry's vision is to support national identity through foundational education.

To ensure effective implementation, private schools will receive instructional frameworks and clear learning outcomes before 2025/2026. The Ministry will also conduct advisory visits to assist schools. Regular inspections will begin in the 2026/2027 academic year to ensure compliance with these guidelines.

Arabic language instruction will start at 200 minutes weekly (40 minutes daily) and increase to 300 minutes weekly (60 minutes daily) by 2027/2028. Qualified early childhood teachers will use approved resources and age-appropriate methods for both native and non-native speakers.

Islamic Studies will be taught to Muslim students for 90 minutes weekly. This can be divided into three sessions of 30 minutes or two sessions of 45 minutes each week. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of Islamic teachings from an early age.

Private schools must incorporate family concepts, UAE geography, environment, social values, and key social topics into kindergarten education. These elements will be taught through a play-based approach integrated into daily routines inside and outside classrooms.

The Ministry is committed to developing specialised programmes that enhance reading, writing, Emirati values, and national identity from an early age. This foundation supports children's educational development as they progress through their schooling years.

This initiative aligns with the Ministry's vision of enhancing national identity by supporting Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies education from the foundational years. It aims to nurture children's skills in reading, writing, Emirati values, and national identity from an early age.

With inputs from WAM