Abu Dhabi’s education authority on Monday announced a new policy requiring kindergartens in private and educational partnership schools to allocate 240 minutes (four hours) per week for Arabic language instruction.
The new policy applies to all early childhood education levels — from nursery (pre-KG) to second kindergarten (first year). The weekly Arabic instruction time will further increase to 300 minutes (five hours) starting in the 2026–2027 school year.
This directive will start from the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) confirmed.
According to Adek, the policy aims to ensure that every child — whether a native Arabic speaker or learning the language for the first time — receives consistent, high-quality instruction during the most critical stage of language development.
The authority said the timing of the policy is rooted in clear research: children learn languages most effectively when they are young. But Arabic, Adek noted, is more than just a subject — it’s a bridge to identity, values, and the cultural narratives that shape who we are.
“This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons,” said Mariam Al Hallami, executive director Early Education. “It’s about giving every child in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity, and connection starting from day one. We want Arabic to feel natural, interactive and alive in every classroom and every home.”
The authority’s recent survey revealed that although Arabic is widely spoken at home, many children still lack confidence using the language. This new policy seeks to close that gap by fostering collaboration between schools and families to keep Arabic alive and thriving, starting in the earliest years of education.
The program introduces two learning tracks: one for native Arabic speakers to deepen their language proficiency, and another for non-native speakers and newcomers to build foundational skills.
Arabic will be taught through engaging methods such as play, storytelling, songs, and hands-on exploration — making the language feel interactive and alive in the classroom.
Specially trained teachers and modern resources will support students’ learning journeys, with schools encouraged to involve families through updates, tools, and Arabic-themed activities at home and in school.
This initiative bridges the gap between Arabic instruction in nurseries — currently governed by ADEK’s Early Education Institutions (EEI) policies — and formal Arabic education in Cycle 1 as mandated by the Ministry of Education. It’s part of a broader strategy to strengthen language acquisition and preserve cultural identity through early, immersive learning.
Abu Dhabi’s move is part of a broader, nationwide effort to strengthen Arabic language learning from the earliest years of education. Similar initiatives are being rolled out across the UAE, reflecting a unified vision to nurture linguistic skills and cultural identity from the ground up.
In Dubai, for example, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) introduced a new policy on February 21 of this year to enhance Arabic language instruction in early childhood education.
The directive mandates Arabic learning for all children from birth to six years old at private schools and early childhood centres.
Meanwhile, in Sharjah, the emirate has also taken significant steps to prioritise Arabic in early education.
In November 2024, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, directed that Arabic become the medium of instruction in all government nurseries.
He emphasised the importance of early education not just for language acquisition, but also for promoting holistic child development — including awareness around healthy nutrition and wellbeing.
© Khaleej Times
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