UAE issues landmark law on national educational curriculum

The UAE government has issued a landmark Federal Decree Law to govern the national educational curriculum.

For the first time, a comprehensive legislative framework will regulate how the curriculum is designed, approved, implemented and reviewed across public and private schools.

The law sets clear roles for federal and local authorities, ensuring transparency, coordination and community participation in shaping education.

It aims to maintain consistency while allowing flexibility to adapt to future needs, strengthening the quality of learning and preparing students for global competitiveness.

The new framework applies from kindergarten through Grade 12, including private schools that do not apply the national curriculum but teach approved compulsory subjects.

It also defines curriculum components such as learning standards, teaching methods and educational pathways.

The decree outlines four categories of changes — major, partial, technical and urgent — with specific approval mechanisms for each, involving the Ministry of Education, the Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council, and, in major cases, the Council of Ministers.

It also allows government and private entities to propose curriculum updates, provided they align with national objectives and labour market needs.

Under the law, the Ministry of Education will oversee curriculum development, resources, assessment tools and teacher readiness, while schools implement the curriculum and provide feedback.

Local authorities monitor compliance in private schools, and the National Centre for Education Quality evaluates outcomes and reports results.

Officials say this law reinforces the UAE’s vision of a stable, flexible education system focused on human capital and responsive to global developments.

The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree Law on the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, establishing for the first time a comprehensive legislative framework regulating the design, approval, implementation, and review of the national educational curriculum. pic.twitter.com/WosU1VaQPP

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) December 29, 2025