The UAE government has released the National Curriculum Management Law, introducing for the first time a comprehensive legal framework that governs how the national curriculum is designed, approved, implemented and reviewed.
The law establishes an integrated management system that defines the roles and responsibilities of federal and local authorities, strengthening cooperation, transparency, accountability and public participation in the entire education sector.
The Decree Law aims to regulate the approval of parts of the national curriculum in a way that ensures consistency and stability, while preserving the flexibility of continuous changes in response to future developments and the changing needs of the labor market.
UAE issues curriculum law
According to this framework, the law improves the quality of the content of the national curriculum, strengthens the competitiveness of the education sector and supports the preparation of students who can be successfully integrated into society and the economy at the local and international levels.
The provisions of the Limitation Act apply to all public and private educational institutions that use the national curriculum, which covers all stages from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve.
Its scope also extends to private schools that do not follow the national curriculum, which requires them to teach approved compulsory subjects.
This provision is intended to ensure common national educational foundations and emphasize shared identity and values.
National Charter of Education
The Decree Law stipulates that the National Education Charter of the UAE serves as the highest reference document for education, which defines the goals of national education, the qualifications of graduates, national identity, social values, target skills and general education goals.
This constitution guides the design and development of the national curriculum and ensures alignment with broader national priorities.
The law clearly defines the components of the national education curriculum, including:
- National reading standards and outcomes
- Principles of curriculum design
- Teaching methods and methods
- Methods of study and duration of study
- Language of instruction
- Compulsory and elective courses
- Academic content of each course
This framework ensures transparency, academic relevance and sustainability of academic quality.
A planned process
The Decree Law introduces a formal classification system for curriculum changes, divided into four categories, each with specific approval mechanisms.
Major, comprehensive changes affecting the philosophical or structural foundations of the curriculum—resulting from amendments to the National Education Charter—require the approval of the Council for Education, Labor, and Community Development and approval by the Council of Ministers.
These changes are subject to mandatory field testing and comprehensive testing before implementation across the country.
Partial changes of limited scope, such as amendments to learning outcomes or the addition or deletion of topics, are approved by the Council on Education, Human Resources, and Community Development.
Technical or legal changes intended to improve clarity, linguistic accuracy, visual presentation or formatting have been approved by the Department of Education.
Extraordinary and urgent changes in response to national or international emergencies are approved by the Council for Education, Human Resources, and Community Development, with a report sent to the Council of Ministers if the change is extensive.
Curriculum development
The Decree Law allows any government, private or non-profit entity, including those operating in liberal areas, to submit proposals for curriculum development or amendment.
Proposals must be supported by reliable studies and analyzes to demonstrate compliance with national educational objectives, labor market needs, national identity and social values.
Submissions are reviewed in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Department of Education.
Under the law:
- The Council of Ministers approves the National Education Charter, the national curriculum and major amendments
- The Education, Labor and Community Development Council provides strategic direction and ensures compliance with national policies
- The Ministry of Education is responsible for curriculum preparation, development, revision, educational resources, assessment, teacher preparation and implementation oversight.
Educational institutions
Educational institutions must implement the curriculum, participate in pilot programs and provide feedback. Local education authorities monitor spending in private schools, while the National Center for Education Quality assesses quality and impact and issues periodic reports.
Private schools that do not use the national curriculum are obliged to teach compulsory courses approved under the supervision of the Minister and the local municipality to ensure compliance with the content and standards of teacher qualifications.
The Federal Decree Law reinforces the UAE’s vision of building a stable, flexible and well-governed national education system that responds to global developments, supports comprehensive development and places human capital at the center of the country’s future.
