The UAE education sector implemented a series of reforms throughout 2025, introducing curriculum changes, technology integration and expansion of higher education programmes.
The UAE introduced artificial intelligence as a compulsory subject from kindergarten through Grade 12, making the country one of the first worldwide to integrate AI into school curricula.
The Ministry of Education rolled out the requirement across public and private schools following the national curriculum.
UAE education sector launches Zayed Foundation to support 100,000 young talents by 2035
The government launched the Zayed Education Foundation in 2025, with a target to support 100,000 young talents by 2035. The foundation aims to prepare students to lead progress in economics, society and environment at a global level.
The Ministry of Education announced two educational streams for Cycle 3 students in public and private schools following the national curriculum. The advanced stream enables students to pursue higher education in engineering, medicine, pharmacy and sciences. The general stream allows specialisation in humanities, literature, business administration, law, arts and social sciences.
The ministry approved a framework for teaching Arabic language, Islamic education and social concepts in kindergartens at private schools. The framework covers all approved curricula and is mandatory for implementation.
The Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD) approved an update to the student age cut-off date for Kindergarten and Grade 1 admissions.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, the cut-off will shift to December 31 of the admission year for all schools and kindergartens whose academic calendars begin in August or September.
The previous cut-off date was August 31. The dates will apply to new students in kindergarten and Grade One from the 2026-2027 academic year.
The EHCD adopted new criteria for students pursuing higher education abroad. The criteria aim to enhance readiness for the labour market and regulate scholarship programmes in line with national priorities and key economic sectors.
UAE removes second semester centralised tests in 2025-2026 academic year reform
The 2025-2026 academic year saw changes to the assessment system. Centralised tests at the end of the second semester have been removed and replaced with school-based summative assessments. Centralised tests remain in the first and third semesters only.
The updates included approval of the second phase of the project-based learning and assessment (PBLA) system, now covering all Cycle 2 students in public and private schools applying the Ministry of Education curriculum. Other changes included development of the national assessment system, increased Arabic language instruction time in kindergartens, and allocation of daily hours for Cycle One students to strengthen language skills.
The government launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships initiative in 2025, which encompasses a package of programmes. The first phase includes scholarships for a Master’s degree in Economic and Public Policy and a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence in the Government Sector.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher, in coordination with the Emirates College for Advanced Education, launched a development programme titled “Executive Educational Excellence Pioneers”.
The partnership aims to empower teachers who have won the award, enhancing their role in driving transformation and creating impact, equipped with educational skills, tools and practices recognised internationally.
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 academic journeys abroad.
A new campus of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities was inaugurated in Madinat Zayed in the Al Dhafra region in October. The branch will offer programmes in Islamic and social studies and humanitarian work, reinforcing the values of citizenship, tolerance and coexistence. The campus forms part of the university’s plans for expansion at a local level.
