Abu Dhabi makes 4 hours of weekly Arabic lessons mandatory for nursery and KG students

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced a landmark policy requiring all private and educational partnership schools to dedicate four hours (240 minutes) per week to Arabic language instruction for children in early childhood education, starting from the 2025–2026 academic year. The mandate applies to all early years levels, from nursery (pre-KG) to KG2 (second year), and will increase to five hours weekly (300 minutes) starting in 2026–2027, ADEK confirmed.

Language as identity: The intent behind the policy

While the directive enforces instructional time, ADEK emphasises that the goal goes far beyond curriculum metrics. “This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons,” said Mariam Al Hallami, Executive Director of Early Education at ADEK.“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,” she added. The policy’s timing is deliberate: backed by research showing that early childhood is the most effective period for language acquisition, the strategy aims to root Arabic as a living, thriving language in children’s daily lives, both at school and at home.

ADEK highlighted that although Arabic is commonly spoken at home in Abu Dhabi, many children still lack the confidence to use it fluently. The initiative is designed to close that gap by ensuring consistent, quality instruction through immersive methods and active family engagement.

Dual track learning: Native and non-native speakers

To meet diverse classroom needs, the program will follow two dedicated learning tracks:

The instruction will be delivered through interactive, age-appropriate techniques, including:

To ensure quality, schools will employ specially trained teachers and use modern learning resources.

Schools are also encouraged to build strong school-home connections, sharing tools and activities to keep children engaged with Arabic even outside the classroom.

Bridging policy gaps in early education

The initiative aligns with ADEK’s broader goals to harmonise Arabic instruction between nurseries, currently regulated under its Early Education Institutions (EEI) policies, and Cycle 1 education, which is governed by the Ministry of Education. By standardising Arabic exposure across all early education providers, Abu Dhabi is aiming to build language skills, foster cultural belonging, and ensure that children are well-prepared as they transition to formal schooling.

A nationwide push to prioritise Arabic

Abu Dhabi’s new policy is part of a wider national effort to revitalise Arabic language learning from birth to school age, with similar actions now being taken in other emirates:

This bold move by Abu Dhabi reflects a strategic cultural investment: reinforcing Arabic not just as a language subject, but as a core identity marker for the next generation, native and non-native speakers alike.