What’s changing in UAE schools in 2026-27? New rules, policies explained

More than 1.277 million students are set to return to over 1,180 public and private schools across the UAE on August 31 as the new academic year 2026–27 begins.

The new school year will introduce several changes covering homework, Arabic-language assessment, digital device use, student evaluation, project-based learning and teacher training.

Ahead of the new term, the Ministry has also opened 11 new schools and educational complexes, deployed 5,810 school buses and distributed eight million textbooks.

A total of 26,700 new students have also been registered in public schools.

Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri said preparations extend beyond infrastructure and resources, with the Ministry working towards a more flexible and efficient education system that preserves national identity while keeping pace with developments in science and technology.

National Education Charter Enters Daily School Life

The Ministry will begin implementing the National Education Charter as a unified vision for the UAE's education system.

The Charter, launched by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE rulers, focuses on the values, qualities and future skills students should develop.

A new back-to-school campaign titled “Guided by the Charter, Building Tomorrow” will seek to bring these principles into everyday school life.

Implementation will focus on six areas, including connecting Charter principles with learning outcomes, supporting teachers, incorporating the values into classroom and extracurricular activities, aligning student conduct policies and encouraging families to participate.

No Traditional Homework for Kindergarten to Grade 2

One of the biggest changes for younger students is the removal of traditional homework from Kindergarten through Grade 2.

The Ministry said the decision is based on children's developmental needs and aims to make greater use of classroom learning while creating a healthier balance between education and family life.

Instead, parents and families will be encouraged to support daily reading at home.

The approach is designed to strengthen early literacy, language and cognitive development while encouraging children to enjoy learning without the pressure of routine assignments.

Arabic Assessment Expands to All Grade 1 Students

The UAE is expanding its Arabic language skills assessment following a pilot programme conducted in 100 public and private schools during the previous academic year.

The next phase will cover:

19,000 Grade 1 students in 162 public schools
11,000 Grade 1 students in 130 private schools
The assessment will help schools identify children's Arabic-language abilities at an early stage and establish a baseline for providing targeted support.
The Ministry said strengthening Arabic-language skills remains a key national and educational priority.

Digital Device Use to Be Regulated for Grade 6

The Ministry is expanding its Regulating the Use of Digital Tools in Education project to all Grade 6 students in public schools.

The initiative follows a study involving 2,500 students across nine public schools during the previous academic year.

Preliminary findings indicated that classrooms with reduced use of digital tools recorded improvements in academic performance, particularly in mathematics, science and Arabic. The study also found improvements in student behaviour and classroom concentration.

Digital technology will continue to be used in education, but its application will be guided by standards designed to support academic achievement, critical thinking, cognitive development and classroom interaction.

New Assessment System for Cycle 3

Students in Cycle 3 will see a new assessment structure for Group A subjects.

The weighting will move to a 50:50 split between school-based and central assessments.

The Ministry said the change is intended to provide a more complete picture of student performance throughout the academic year while maintaining a consistent national framework.

Schools will also use diagnostic assessments to identify learning gaps early and provide targeted support, including individual reading plans and interventions.

Project-Based Learning Expands Nationwide

The Ministry is expanding its Project-Based Learning and Assessment initiative to more than 129,000 students across 366 schools nationwide.

A new integrated project for Grade 7 students will combine Arabic, English, mathematics and science into a single learning task.

The approach aims to help students connect different subjects, apply knowledge to practical situations and develop skills needed for the future.

It will also provide teachers with additional ways to assess students' knowledge and practical abilities.

Schools to Undergo Nationwide Evaluation

The Ministry will begin evaluating all public schools and Ministry-licensed private schools over the next two academic years.

The programme will start during the first semester of 2026–27.

Schools will be assessed against approved national standards, with the process designed to identify strengths, highlight areas requiring improvement and support the development of long-term improvement plans.

More Than 24,000 Educators to Receive Training

Professional development will also receive a major boost, with more than 24,000 teachers, school leaders and specialists participating in a Specialised Training Week.

The programme will feature more than 80 training courses and workshops, alongside a dedicated programme for more than 1,700 school leaders.

Other initiatives include the National AI Capacity-Building Programme, the Promising School Leaders Project, the Afaq programme, leadership capacity-building initiatives, professional fellowships and a Certified Internal Trainers Programme.

Focus on Teachers and School Leaders

The Ministry said strengthening the skills of teachers and school leaders is central to improving the education system.

The expanded training programmes are intended to equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to respond to changes in technology, teaching methods and student needs.

The new academic year therefore marks a broader shift towards skills-based learning, responsible technology use, stronger assessment and continuous professional development across UAE schools.