The Ministry of Education in the UAE has made a significant announcement regarding the institutionalization of the daily noon prayer in all government schools throughout the country. In a message posted on its official X account, the ministry revealed that a dedicated time will now be set aside each day for students to engage in the noon prayer as a group.
“Schools serve as homes for both values and knowledge,” stated the ministry in its communication. A video accompanying the announcement featured students performing the call to prayer and participating in the noon prayer together within designated prayer spaces. The clips showcased students setting up these areas and displaying excitement about the new initiative.
Compulsory curriculum standards for private kindergartens
In an additional effort to instill national values at an early age, the ministry announced in June 2025 the endorsement of mandatory guidelines for the teaching of Arabic language, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies at the kindergarten level in all private schools within the UAE.
These guidelines are set to come into effect starting the 2025/2026 academic year and will apply to private institutions offering a range of accredited curricula.
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The Ministry indicated that this initiative aims to shape a generation that embraces its national identity, is fluent in Arabic, and is rooted in Emirati values. “This initiative aligns with our vision of enhancing national identity by promoting the teaching of Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies from early childhood,” noted the Ministry in a report covered by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Daily Arabic instruction and play-based social education
Under this program, kindergarten students will receive daily Arabic language lessons. Initially, the instruction will total 200 minutes weekly (40 minutes a day), with plans to increase this to 300 minutes weekly (60 minutes daily) by the 2027/2028 academic year. Qualified early childhood educators will deliver the curriculum through age-appropriate, ministry-sanctioned materials, catering to both native and non-native Arabic speakers.
For Muslim kindergarten students in private institutions, Islamic Studies will be compulsory, involving 90 minutes of lessons each week. Schools may choose to divide this into three 30-minute sessions or two 45-minute sessions.
To facilitate this rollout, the ministry will provide instructional frameworks and specific learning outcomes for each subject. In addition, advisory visits to schools will start in the 2025/2026 academic year, followed by regular inspections commencing in the 2026/2027 academic year to ensure adherence to the guidelines.
Private schools will also need to incorporate essential national themes, such as family, UAE geography, environmental protection, and social values, into the daily schedules of kindergarteners. These topics will be taught through engaging, play-based learning methods, both inside and outside the classroom.
The Ministry underscored that these educational reforms are part of a broader strategy to introduce a strong sense of national identity from the very beginning of a child’s education, ensuring consistency throughout the diverse private education system in the UAE.