In a major move to strengthen Arabic language learning from an early age, Abu Dhabi has officially made it mandatory for all nursery and kindergarten (KG) students to receive at least four hours of Arabic lessons each week. This new rule applies to both public and private early education centers across the capital city.
The announcement was made by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which oversees education policy and implementation in the emirate. The policy is set to take effect from the 2025–2026 academic year, giving institutions some time to adjust their programs and teacher resources.
This new regulation is part of a broader initiative to preserve Arabic language and culture in a fast-globalizing society where English often dominates classrooms and everyday communication.
Why Is Abu Dhabi Introducing Mandatory Arabic Lessons?
The main goal of this new policy is to promote the Arabic language among children at a very early stage of their learning journey. Authorities believe that introducing structured Arabic lessons in nurseries and kindergartens will help children gain fluency and confidence before entering primary school.
According to ADEK, Arabic is not just a language — it’s also a key element of the UAE’s cultural identity. Teaching Arabic early will ensure children are deeply connected to their roots and heritage, even as they engage with a diverse, multicultural environment.
A spokesperson from ADEK said:
“We aim to foster a strong Arabic-speaking generation while ensuring children are equipped with the language skills they need to succeed in both local and international settings.”
How Will the New Arabic Lessons Be Implemented?
Under the new rules, all early childhood centers — including nurseries, kindergartens, and foundation stages — must allocate a minimum of four hours per week to teaching Arabic.
Here’s how schools will be expected to implement the changes:
- Qualified Arabic Teachers: Schools must hire certified teachers who are skilled in early childhood education and fluent in Arabic
- Interactive Curriculum: The Arabic lessons must be age-appropriate and activity-based, using songs, games, stories, and role-play
- Language Environment: Schools should create an Arabic-rich environment, including visual aids and classroom signs in Arabic
- Monitoring and Support: ADEK will support schools with curriculum frameworks and regularly inspect to ensure compliance
Early education experts say this new rule will boost bilingualism, especially in children from non-Arabic-speaking families.
What This Means for Parents and Schools
For parents, especially expatriates, this policy means their children will now begin learning Arabic from as young as 3 years old. While some may worry about language barriers, ADEK assures that learning Arabic at an early age will not interfere with the development of English or other languages.
On the contrary, several studies suggest that early bilingual education improves cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and memory.
For schools, this change will require hiring new staff, updating teaching plans, and possibly re-training current teachers to support Arabic lessons.
However, ADEK says that support will be provided every step of the way. Teacher training workshops, curriculum guides, and additional resources will be offered before and during the rollout period.
Benefits of Arabic Lessons for Nursery Students
Starting Arabic lessons early offers a number of important advantages:
- Better Pronunciation: Younger children are more likely to pick up correct pronunciation and intonation
- Stronger Vocabulary: Regular exposure to Arabic builds a larger word bank by the time they enter primary school
- Cultural Connection: Early language learning deepens children’s understanding of UAE culture and traditions
- Learning Confidence: Being bilingual from a young age can make children more confident learners in general
According to education specialists, language learning is most effective when started before the age of five, as this is when the brain is most flexible.
Private Nurseries Welcome the Move
Many private nursery operators have welcomed the new directive, saying it aligns with their long-term vision for inclusive and culturally rooted education.
A principal from a popular nursery in Abu Dhabi said:
“We already offer some Arabic classes, but this new regulation gives us the push to expand and formalize the program. It will be exciting to see how our young students embrace the language.”
Some nurseries have started preparing by holding teacher recruitment drives for Arabic language specialists and revamping their learning materials to include more Arabic-based content.
Support for Non-Arabic-Speaking Children
One major concern is how children who do not speak Arabic at home will adjust. To address this, ADEK clarified that lessons will be designed for beginners and focus on speaking and listening skills at first, rather than reading and writing.
Children will be introduced to Arabic through fun, immersive activities such as:
- Singing Arabic nursery rhymes
- Learning names of animals, fruits, and colors
- Role-playing basic Arabic greetings and expressions
- Watching cartoons and animated stories in Arabic
This method of “learning through play” will make the process enjoyable for all children, regardless of their background.
A Step Towards National Educational Goals
The new policy aligns with the UAE’s broader educational goals under Vision 2030, which aims to create a knowledge-based, bilingual society that maintains its cultural identity while engaging with the world.
Encouraging Arabic proficiency from a young age ensures that students are ready for future education in both local and global contexts. It also helps build national pride among Emirati students and stronger cultural awareness among non-Arabic-speaking residents.
What Happens Next?
Schools have until the start of the 2025–2026 academic year to fully implement the four-hour weekly Arabic lessons. ADEK will be issuing guidelines, training materials, and offering consultations over the coming months.
By the start of the school year, every nursery and kindergarten in Abu Dhabi will need to demonstrate that Arabic language instruction is a core part of their weekly schedule.
Parents are encouraged to support their children at home by using simple Arabic words, playing Arabic music, or reading bilingual books together.
Final Thoughts
Abu Dhabi’s move to introduce compulsory Arabic lessons for nursery students is a strong step toward building a society that is both globally competitive and culturally grounded.
By starting language education early, the emirate is investing in future generations who are confident, connected, and capable communicators — in Arabic and beyond.
As the new rule takes effect, it is expected to not only enhance language skills but also enrich the entire learning experience for young children across the UAE capital.
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