UAE President designates February 28 as Emirati Day for Education

Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, February 28 has been designated as Emirati Day for Education, to be observed annually.

The day will honour the vital role of education in the UAE’s development and progress, and its contribution to the growth of society and the nation’s cultural renaissance.

His Highness emphasised that since its founding, the UAE has recognised the vital importance of education, placing it at the heart of its development plans. He noted that education has always been regarded as a driving force behind the nation’s progress and cultural advancement.

The date is historically significant, as it marks the graduation of the first group of teachers from the United Arab Emirates University in 1982, an event attended by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, along with the Rulers of the Emirates.

His Highness stressed that strengthening the foundations of education and continually raising its profile has been, and will remain, a top priority for the UAE since its inception and throughout all stages of its development.

Meanwhile His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the UAE President.

Sheikh Abdullah said, “We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, for this wonderful initiative, which embodies his continuous commitment to supporting and developing the education system in the UAE, especially for teachers. This effort contributes to enhancing the role of education as a vital and fundamental pillar for comprehensive and sustainable development.”

He added, “In a rapidly changing world filled with numerous opportunities and challenges, education plays a pivotal role in human development and the advancement of society. It is the driving force behind progress and one of the key criteria for measuring the success and competitiveness of nations.”

“In the UAE, we pay special attention to education, in line with the vision of our founder, who emphasised education as a national priority for building the future. Today, we are witnessing tangible changes since the establishment of the union in 1971, which have significantly impacted the quality of education," Sheikh Abdullah noted.