The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree Law on the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum. This is the first time a comprehensive legal framework has been introduced to regulate how the national curriculum is designed, approved, implemented, and reviewed.
The law establishes an integrated governance system that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of federal and local authorities. This framework enhances coordination, transparency, and accountability, while encouraging community participation across the education sector.
Its primary objective is to regulate the approval of national curriculum components in a way that ensures consistency and stability, while allowing flexibility for continuous updates to meet future developments and changing labour market needs.
UAE Issues Curriculum Law
The new law aims to improve the quality of national curriculum content, strengthen the competitiveness of the education sector, and support the development of students who can effectively contribute to society and the economy, both locally and internationally.
The Decree Law applies to all public and private educational institutions implementing the national curriculum, covering all stages from kindergarten through grade twelve. It also applies to private schools that do not follow the national curriculum, requiring them to teach approved compulsory subjects. This ensures unified national educational foundations and reinforces shared identity and values.
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 permits government and private organisations to submit proposals for curriculum updates, as long as they align with national priorities and labour market requirements.
Under the law, the Ministry of Education is responsible for overseeing curriculum development, educational resources, assessment systems, and teacher preparedness, while schools are tasked with implementation and providing feedback.
Local authorities supervise compliance in private schools, and the National Centre for Education Quality assesses results and reports on performance.
The new law strengthens the UAE’s goal of building a stable and adaptable education system that prioritises human capital and responds effectively to global changes.