Image credit: WAM
The Ministry of Education in the UAE has firmly denied recent rumors circulating on social media about changes to the official school hours for public school students across all levels, including kindergarten.
A statement clarified that the official timings remain unchanged: for kindergarten students, school hours are from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 11:45 am on Fridays. For students in other grades, hours are 7:15 am to 3:15 pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 11:45 am on Fridays, according to a post by UAE Barq.
The clarification comes as the country prepares for a significant academic transformation in the upcoming school year.
AI becomes a core subject in UAE public schools
Also, starting from the 2025–2026 academic year, artificial intelligence (AI) will become a formal subject across all public school grades, from kindergarten to Grade 12, according to a report by state news agency WAM.
The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the deployment of 1,000 trained teachers to deliver the AI curriculum. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s strategic vision to equip future generations with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The AI curriculum is built around seven key areas: basic AI concepts, data and algorithms, software applications, ethical awareness, real-world problem-solving, innovation and project design, and engagement with policy and community.
Each module is tailored to suit the developmental needs of different age groups, ensuring that learning is age-appropriate and progressive.
With this move, the UAE joins the ranks of pioneering countries integrating AI education at the foundational level, aiming to foster tech-savvy and ethically aware global citizens.
Academic year kicks off August 25, 2025
The new academic year officially begins on Monday, August 25, 2025, across public and private schools in the country. The upcoming year brings in a wave of changes reflecting the UAE’s broader commitment to progressive education reform.
Apart from the AI integration, public schools will also implement a new standardised national proficiency test for Grades 4 to 11. This assessment will focus on core subjects, Arabic, English, and Mathematics, with an initial rollout targeting around 26,000 students.
The goal is to assess students’ essential skills, identify learning gaps, and empower educators to tailor their teaching strategies accordingly. The Ministry will also gain a clearer understanding of nationwide academic performance across key disciplines.
Strengthening national identity from early years
Another major development taking shape this academic year is the mandatory teaching of Arabic, Islamic Education, and social concepts in private kindergarten schools across the UAE.
This initiative is designed to embed national identity and values from an early age, ensuring that children are fluent in Arabic, aware of their cultural roots, and knowledgeable about family, community, and geography.
The curriculum changes at both ends of the academic spectrum, from kindergarten to Grade 12, signal a comprehensive shift toward an education system that is both innovative and identity-driven.
