Mandatory Guidelines for Teaching Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies in UAE Private Schools

Strategic Insights -

The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the approval of mandatory guidelines for the teaching of Arabic language, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies in kindergarten stage in private schools across the UAE. This initiative aims to strengthen the national values of children from an early age, nurturing a generation that is proud of its national identity, proficient in its mother tongue, and well-grounded in the values of family, society, and the geography and environment of the UAE. The guidelines will be implemented from the 2025/2026 academic year and will apply to all private schools in the UAE, across all approved curricula.

Key Takeaways:

  • The mandatory guidelines will be implemented from the 2025/2026 academic year for private schools across the UAE.
  • The guidelines aim to strengthen the national values of children from an early age, fostering a generation that is proud of its national identity, proficient in its mother tongue, and well-grounded in Emirati values and the geography and environment of the UAE.
  • Arabic language will be taught daily to all students for 200 minutes weekly initially (40 minutes per day), increasing to 300 minutes weekly (60 minutes per day) by 2027/2028.
  • Islamic Studies will be taught to all Muslim students in kindergarten in private schools for 90 minutes per week, delivered as either three sessions of 30 minutes or two sessions of 45 minutes per week.
  • Private schools must integrate concepts of family, UAE geography, the UAE environment, social values, and key social topics into kindergarten education through a simplified, play-based learning approach.
  • The Ministry will provide private schools with instructional frameworks and clear learning outcomes for all three subject areas before the start of the 2025/2026 academic year.
  • Advisory visits to private schools will be conducted in 2025/2026 to ensure consistent and effective implementation, with regular inspections starting from the 2026/2027 academic year to verify compliance with the guidelines.

Statistics:

  • Arabic language will be taught for 200 minutes weekly initially (40 minutes per day), increasing to 300 minutes weekly (60 minutes per day) by 2027/2028.
  • Islamic Studies will be taught to all Muslim students in kindergarten in private schools for 90 minutes per week.
  • The guidelines will be implemented in all private schools in the UAE, across all approved curricula.
  • Advisory visits will be conducted in 2025/2026 to ensure consistent and effective implementation.

Sources:

  • Wam (June 22, 2025) - Ministry of Education Announces Mandatory Guidelines for Teaching Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies in Private Schools.