Rexlie S.

Alacantara

Educational System in the United Arab Emirates

Very few countries in the world provide their citizens with comprehensive
education to the extent the UAE government does. From kindergarten all the way
through to a doctoral degree, Emiratis enjoy the opportunity to receive free education at
any level.
As the country developed and its population grew, the need to invest in education was
met with fervour by the nations leaders and government. Initially the state supported
thousands in pursuing a higher education overseas as post-secondary options in the
UAE were limited.
Now, however, UAE citizens need not travel abroad to obtain university degrees, as
heavy investment in higher education at home has provided students with a plethora of
private and public universities within the UAE. But, unlike tertiary education, attending
primary and secondary education overseas was not an option.
When sending their children to school, Emirati parents face the choice of private versus
public schools. In the private education system, they can guarantee their children
receive a decent education, becoming proficient in the invaluable English language,
now essential in gaining access to UAE universities.
The education system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is relatively new. In
1952, there were few formal schools in the country. In the 1960s and 1970s, a school
building program expanded the education system. Now, education at the primary and
secondary level is universal. In 2006-2007, approximately 650,000 students were
enrolled at 1,256 public and private schools. About 60% of all students attend public
schools.
The public schools are government-funded and the curriculum is created to match the
UAE development's goals and values. The medium of instruction in the public school is
Arabic and English as a Second Language is emphasized. There are also many private
schools which are internationally accredited. Public schools in the country are free for
citizens of the UAE, while the fees for private schools vary.
Education reform focuses on better preparation, greater accountability, higher standards
and improved professionalism. In addition, rote instruction is being replaced with more
interactive forms of learning, and English-language education is being integrated into
other subjects, such as math and science. The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC),
the Dubai Education Council (DEC) and the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) are each
tasked with education reform, while preserving local traditions, principles and the
cultural identity of the UAE.
Education at primary and secondary levels is universal and compulsory up to the ninth
grade. This takes place in a four-tier process over 14 years:
4 to 5 year-olds attend kindergarten

6 to 11 year-olds attend primary schools

the preparatory stage caters for children aged between 12 and 14 and
15 to 17 year-olds attend secondary schools.
About 40% of pupils attend private schools. Some of these offer foreign language
education geared towards expatriate communities, usually preserving the culture and
following the curricula of the students countries of origin.
A Cabinet decision issued in 2001 excluding expatriate students from government
schools, was rescinded in mid-2006. Commencing in the academic year 2006/07,
admission for expatriate students will be based on merit and fees will be levied.
UAE President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan established the Abu Dhabi
Education Council (ADEC), an independent Abu Dhabi-based corporate body, in 2005
to develop education throughout the UAE.
ADEC will work closely with the Ministry of Education (MOE) in formulating the emirates
education plan within the framework of the UAEs general education policy.
ADEC takes an entrepreneurial approach to involve the private sector, improve and
modernize facilities, reduce bureaucracy, update curricula and take advantage of
information technology.
ADEC has already announced a new initiative to improve the quality of public education.
The project entitled Public-Private Partnership for Public School Management enables
leading local and regional private education providers to manage selected public
schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in conjunction with ADEC. Launched as a threeyear pilot program commencing in September 2006, selected Abu Dhabi schools,
including kindergarten and primary schools for boys and girls in the three educational
zones of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, will be involved in the project.

ADEC has also entered into an agreement in which Zayed University (ZU) will assist in
developing the English language skills of elementary level students at four model
schools. Thirty faculty members from ZU will work with the first and fourth grade
students at these schools, observing and evaluating English language teaching
methods, and designing modern academic programs. The initiative will be extended to
all schools at a later stage.
The Dubai Education Council (DEC) seeks to meet global standards, focusing on
international accreditation and comprehensive quality assurance programs. A recent
initiative is designed to attract world-class international primary and secondary schools
to Dubai.
The education system through secondary level is monitored by the Ministry of Education
(MOE). It consists of primary schools, middle schools and high schools. The MOE
develops and monitors reform activities, with a focus on standards-based, studentcentered education. These efforts include a partnership with National Association of
Elementary School Principals in the United States. Activities include:
Audits of every public school in the UAE

Evaluations of the system, from individual schools up through the Ministry

Ongoing professional development of teachers and principals
The MOE is constantly honing its educational strategy to ensure that the programs
developed in its schools comply with international standards, with particular focus on
introducing the latest IT resources at all levels. For example, one of the goals is to
provide a computer for every ten children in kindergarten, every five pupils in primary
schools, every two students in preparatory schools.
That IT education in the formative years has become a major priority for the UAE is
underlined by the success of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid IT Education Project
(ITEP), which was launched in 2000. As well as installing computer labs in all
participating schools, and creating a comprehensive cutting-edge curriculum, ITEP also
provides an invaluable online educational resource at www.itep.ae. ITEP now provides
courses in 40 high schools in the UAE (20 in Dubai, 20 in Abu Dhabi) and over 13,000
students pass through the program every year. ITEPs trainee pupils achieved 97%
success rate in courses in the 2005/06 academic year.
Breakdown of the K-12 education system
Primary and secondary education is provided for all UAE citizens. The existing
educational structure, which was established in the early 1970s, is a four-tier system
covering 14 years of education.

Kindergarten
Age level from: 4 to 5 years old
Primary
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 6 to 12 years old
Preparatory
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to 15 years old
Secondary
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to 18 years old
Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate
Technical Secondary School
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 12 to 18 years old
Certificate/diploma awarded: Technical Secondary Diploma

Primary Education
Education continues to be a top priority in the United Arab Emirates, and the Abu Dhabi
Education Council is continuing to make great strides. All levels including tertiary are
free (including at a growing number of private institutions) and over 80% of secondary
school leavers avail themselves of the opportunity. The 6 years at primary school are
compulsory, and create the foundation for what is to follow.

Middle Education
The 3 years at preparatory school that follow are compulsory too. This marks the end of
the mandatory schooling period - students are now free to study on, or find work. Many
of the poorer outside the cities still unfortunately do, despite all the efforts.

Secondary Education
There are 2 kinds of secondary schools. Ordinary secondary schools teach academic
subjects aimed at a secondary school leaving certificate (the qualification for university
education) for 3 years. Technical secondary schools are more specific skill focused
following their 3 years most students leave with a technical secondary diploma.

Vocational Education
The United Arab Emirates is determined to replace its oil based-economy by becoming
an industrial heartland. A national qualifications authority coordinates the efforts of a
network of vocational skills training centers, to ensure quality outcomes, and the
involvement or organized labor in assignment with national priorities.

Tertiary Education
United Arab Emirates EducationThe Emirates are exceptionally well endowed with
tertiary education institutions, of which the leading state-sponsored ones are United
Arab Emirates (UAE) University, Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology.
There are a number of excellent vocational and technical centers too.

The UAE University partly illustrated here was established in 1977. Today is has over
15,000 students of which almost 80% are women, and offers more than 70
undergraduate degrees.

Grading System in the United Arab Emirates

Grade

Scale

US Grade

90.00 - 100.00

80.00 - 89.00

70.00 - 79.00

60.00 - 69.00

0.00 - 59.00