UAE Schools Embrace English for Science

Mathematics and Science in English: A New Era Begins in UAE Private Schools

A groundbreaking change is set to commence in the educational system of the United Arab Emirates in the 2026–2027 academic year: private schools implementing the Ministry of Education's curriculum will begin teaching mathematics and the sciences in English for the Advanced Track program. This transition will occur gradually over four phases, completing in the 2029–2030 academic year.

Why Now, and Why in English?

The introduction of English-language education is not merely a passing trend but a strategic decision. At UAE higher education institutions, as well as globally, most mathematics and science subjects are taught in English. Students who previously studied these fundamental subjects in Arabic often faced significant challenges transitioning to university studies—not only due to new vocabulary but also because of the cognitive shift required to think in a foreign language.

The ministry's goal is to ease this transition, enhance student competitiveness, and establish a unified, coordinated educational system across public and private schools. This decision aligns with UAE's long-term educational development and labor market strategies.

Step by Step: The Four-Year Transition

The implementation is planned, rather than abrupt, to take place over four years. The first step will occur in September 2026 with ninth-grade students in the Advanced Track. English teaching will initially cover mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

The schedule for the next academic years is as follows:

2026–2027: 9th grade

2027–2028: 10th grade

2028–2029: 11th grade

2029–2030: 12th grade

This system gives schools and educators an opportunity to prepare effectively for the change, while students have time to adapt to the new educational environment.

Schools' Preparedness and Responses

In a circular distributed by the ministry, it was highlighted that every affected school is required to develop its own transition plan, considering the specific resources, faculty, and student demographics of each institution. School leaders welcomed the decision, as there has long been a desire to narrow the gap between secondary and tertiary education.

Preparing the teaching staff is of paramount importance. Institutions have begun recruiting English-speaking educators and organizing internal training sessions for current teachers to ensure they can deliver high-quality scientific knowledge in English.

Students in Mind

One of the most important goals behind the decision is to prevent students from feeling disadvantaged when they encounter English-language materials in their higher education studies. The new system prepares them for university requirements, reduces language barriers, and facilitates smoother transitions whether they pursue further studies domestically or abroad.

Additionally, the initiative promotes permeability between public and private sectors. Currently, students transitioning from public to private schools often face language differences, leading to academic difficulties. The language standardization aims to alleviate this issue.

Advantages from a Labor Market Perspective

UAE's long-term objectives include forming a knowledge-based economy where a large number of professionals proficient in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields are available. For this, it is crucial that students become accustomed to English technical language during their school years, as it is the foundation of international research, development, and industrial collaboration.

This new system supports these objectives by laying the groundwork from a young age for students to become competitive not only in the domestic but also the international labor market.

Summary

Teaching mathematics and scientific subjects in English in UAE private schools is not just a language reform. It is a well-thought-out, strategic step serving students' futures. The gradual implementation allows both schools and students to integrate smoothly into the new system, creating a more unified, competitive, future-oriented educational environment for the entire country.