UAE School Year Starts with Unified Holidays, AI Curriculum, and Revised Exams
There is a new education milestone in the UAE with the launch of the 2025–2026 academic year under a restructured school calendar.
The reform brings unified holiday schedules across schools, replaces centralized second-semester exams with school-based assessments, and introduces a national proficiency test in Arabic, English, and Mathematics for Grades 4 to 11.
This academic year also witnesses a groundbreaking step: the official rollout of Artificial Intelligence as a core subject across public schools from kindergarten through Grade 12.
With over 1,000 trained teachers, the curriculum spans seven areas, including ethics, innovation, algorithms, and real-world applications, preparing students to thrive in a world shaped by AI.
At the same time, reforms ensure that while embracing technology, schools also strengthen national identity and cultural values, with new frameworks requiring private schools to teach Arabic, Islamic Education, and social concepts from kindergarten.
Updated academic pathways further align high school tracks with higher education and the labor market, giving students stronger foundations for future careers.
Through these reforms, the UAE demonstrates its commitment to building a modern, innovative, and values-driven education system that empowers young learners to adapt, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society.
This upholds every child’s right to education and the development of skills needed for their fullest potential.
