UAE's New Law Shapes Future Education

Unified Legal Framework: New Federal Law Regulates UAE National Curriculum

The United Arab Emirates has once again taken a pioneering step in the field of education: the first federal decree law comprehensively regulating the national curriculum has come into effect. The aim of the legislation is to provide a unified, clearly defined framework for public and private schools operating from kindergarten through to the 12th grade. The decree applies not only to public schools but also to all private institutions, including those using their own foreign curricula, insofar as they teach mandatory national subjects.

Why is such a law necessary?

In recent years, the UAE has made significant strides toward modernization and regulation across various fields—whether it's about e-government solutions, labor market reforms, or improving education standards. Establishing a unified legal foundation for the national curriculum is also crucial because the country's diverse educational system operates with more than 17 different curricula, including British, American, Indian and other international models, while the unified development of national identity, values, and key competencies is expected for all students.

The National Education Charter: The Compass

At the heart of the new law is the National Education Charter, which will become the “primary reference document” for future educational policy decisions. This charter defines the objectives of national education, the expected skills and knowledge of graduates, and how to integrate national identity and social values.

The charter specifies among other things:

learning standards and outcomes, teaching methods, educational pathways, the language and duration of education, each subject and its content.

Four-Level Curriculum Modification: Clearly Regulated Responsibilities

The decree provides a clear framework for future curriculum modifications, dividing them into four categories:

1. Fundamental Changes: These are significant modifications affecting the entire curriculum's foundation, which must undergo mandatory pilot programs before a comprehensive evaluation allows their nationwide introduction. These changes are approved by the Council for Education, Human Resources, and Community Development, and finally ratified by the Ministerial Council.

2. Partial Changes: These involve smaller modifications in specific subjects—such as revising certain learning objectives, deleting or adding themes—which the Education Council authorizes.

3. Technical Changes: These include wording, visual, or language clarifications that do not affect the content foundation of the curriculum and fall under the purview of the Ministry of Education.

4. Exceptional Changes: These are prompt modifications to be implemented in unexpected situations—such as global or national emergencies—which also require Education Council approval but need to inform the Ministerial Council of more extensive changes.

Who Can Initiate Curriculum Changes?

The legislation allows state, private, or nonprofit organizations—including institutions operating in free zones—to submit proposals for curriculum changes. However, these proposals can only be accepted if scientifically substantiated to align with:

the national education goals, current and future labor market needs, social values, and the goals of strengthening national identity.

Implementation is the Responsibility of the Schools

According to the law, educational institutions are responsible for introducing and implementing the curriculum, including participating in pilot programs, collecting feedback, and submitting observations to the ministry. Local educational authorities are primarily responsible for implementation in private schools, while the National Center for Educational Quality Assurance measures and evaluates education quality and forwards its reports to the appropriate bodies.

Flexibility and Stability Simultaneously

One of the major contributions of the federal decree is that while ensuring the stability and consistency of the national curriculum, it also offers enough flexibility for the system to respond to the changing needs of the labor market and society. The goal is not only to ensure every student receives a unified foundation but also that the curriculum can continually evolve in the face of new technologies, economic trends, and global challenges.

Strategic Alignment: Also Ensured at the Governmental Level

The National Education Charter was finalized by the federal government following the evaluation of the Council for Education, Human Resources, and Community Development, ensuring that the curriculum is not only integrated at the ministerial level but is also coherently aligned with the country’s long-term strategies at the highest levels of state decision-making.

Summary

This new federal decree is a milestone in the UAE's education system. As one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, the UAE has recognized the need for a solid yet flexible educational system for a sustainable future. The law not only enhances curriculum quality but also sets clear responsibilities, allowing for continuous improvement. Students, parents, teachers, and institution leaders alike can benefit from a transparent, stable, and national values-based curriculum capable of adapting to future challenges. With this measure, Dubai and the entire country further strengthen their position on the global educational map.

(Source of the article: National Education Charter.)