Obliging kindergarten 240 minutes per week to teach Arabic in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi, announced the launch of a new policy that obliges kindergarten in private schools and educational partnerships schools “from the pre -kindergarten stage“ the preliminary stage ”/ the first foundation stage for the early years to the second kindergarten/ year 1 stage, by teaching the Arabic language starting from the first semester of the academic year 2025-2026.

This announcement comes in a move aimed at enhancing language, identity and belonging starting from the early years of learning, as this initiative is not limited to developing reading and writing skills, but also aims to consolidate the roots of the mother tongue in the next generation and build a solid foundation since childhood.

Under the policy of the Arabic language curriculum for the kindergarten stage issued by the department, all young students have 240 minutes every week to learn the Arabic language according to a methodology that is appropriate for their age stage, provided that this period increases to 300 minutes starting from the academic year 2026-2027.

The new policy guarantees the provision of a consistent and high -quality educational experience for every child, whether it is a native Arabic or new learners for it, during this stage, which is one of the most important stages in the development of the language, and this experience allows students to develop their trust in their mother tongue that links them with their culture, society and future.

Ensure that the Arabic language remains alive

This policy is based on the results of research that confirms that the early years of the child’s life is the most appropriate stage for language learning, and the results of the questionnaire conducted by the department, which showed that the majority of children face difficulty in speaking Arabic with confidence, despite its wide use in their homes, and from this standpoint, the policy aims to fill this gap through an effective partnership between schools and parents to ensure that the Arabic language remains alive and prosperous in The march of future generations.

Politics provides young students with an opportunity to have an interactive and interesting educational experience based on play, narration of stories, songs, exploration, and stipulates the adoption of two educational pathways, one of which is intended to enhance the capabilities of Arabic speakers, and the other is directed to learners who are not speakers, in a way that ensures the needs of each child according to his linguistic level, whether he is speaking in the original language or beginner.

Thanks to qualified teachers according to special training, modern educational sources, and stimulating classroom activities, the Arabic language will become a popular daily experience that students look forward to with passion.

Maryam Al -Hakmi, Executive Director of the Early Education Sector in the Department of Education and Knowledge, said that this initiative aims to enable every child in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to acquire the language, establish identity, and enhance belonging from the first moment, as it aims to be the Arabic language as a fundamental part of the child’s daily experience, and to vibrant and interact in every semester and every home.

The new policy works to bridge the gap between teaching the Arabic language in nurseries, in line with the standards of the policy of early education institutions, and the compulsory education of the Arabic language in the first episode according to the requirements of the Ministry of Education, and in a manner that guarantees a gradual and smooth development of linguistic skills during the early childhood stages.

This policy attaches the role of parents a central importance in the educational journey, and schools work to provide them with the necessary tools and updates, allowing them to participate actively in this rich experience, whether by practicing new vocabulary at home, reading stories with their children, or participating in school events that celebrate the Arabic language.

The new Arabic language curriculum in the kindergarten stage is part of the comprehensive vision of the Education and Knowledge Department, which aims to consolidate the Arabic language as a way of life that beats with interaction and belonging, not as just as a subject that children receive.