UAE Ministry of Education Outlines Key Plans for Academic Year 2025–2026

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Education (MoE), in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office, held a media briefing to present its key preparations and development plans for the academic year 2025–2026. The session was attended by H.E. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education; Mohammed Al Qassim, Under-Secretary of MoE; Sulaiman Al Kaabi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Professional Development Sector; and Amna Al Saleh, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for the Curriculum and Assessment Sector, along with representatives of local media outlets.

Minister Sarah Al Amiri confirmed that since January, the Ministry has been developing proactive strategies to ensure full readiness of public schools, covering facilities, advanced curricula, and teaching methods. She announced significant updates for the new academic year aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the national education system, including fundamental changes to the assessment policy.

Key reforms include the removal of centralised tests at the end of the second semester, replaced with school-based summative assessments. Centralised tests will now be held only in the first and third semesters. This updated system optimises school days, diversifies assessment tools, enhances teaching quality, and promotes student wellbeing.

The Ministry also approved the second phase of the project-based learning and assessment (PBLA) system, which will now extend to all Cycle 2 students in both public and private schools following the MoE curriculum. This expansion builds on the success of phase one, which involved 127,500 students across 350 schools.

In addition, a new national testing system will be introduced, starting with a standardised proficiency test in Arabic, English, and mathematics for Grades 4–11 in public schools, with 26,000 students included in the first phase.

Reinforcing national identity remains a top priority. The Ministry has allocated more teaching time for Arabic language and Islamic education in kindergartens, as well as daily hours for Cycle 1 students to strengthen Arabic reading and writing skills. A baseline Arabic assessment will also be piloted in Grade 1 across 100 schools to establish standard levels and design tailored support programmes.

Minister Al Amiri reaffirmed that these initiatives reflect the UAE’s commitment to building a future-ready education system rooted in innovation while preserving national identity and cultural values.