UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has congratulated students, teachers, administrators and parents as the 2026–2027 academic year officially begins, placing education and lifelong learning at the heart of the nation’s future development.
More than 1.277 million students are returning to over 1,180 public and private schools across the UAE this week, marking the start of a new academic year focused on knowledge, practical skills, innovation and strong national values.
Sheikh Mohamed Calls for Ambition and Lifelong Learning
Sheikh Mohamed encouraged students to approach the new school year with optimism, determination and a commitment to learning.
“Our children are our true wealth, and I encourage them to embark on the new school year with optimism, ambition, and determination,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.
The President also emphasized the importance of cooperation between families and schools throughout the academic year. He connected this partnership with the UAE’s wider educational priorities, including lifelong learning, future skills, national identity and values.
The message reflects the UAE’s broader focus on preparing young people not only for academic success, but also for a rapidly changing economy shaped by technology, innovation and new professional opportunities.
Schools Prepare for a Growing Student Population
The Ministry of Education has introduced several measures to accommodate students for the new academic year, including 11 new schools and educational complexes.
Authorities have also deployed 5,810 school buses and distributed approximately eight million textbooks across the education system.
Public schools recorded 26,700 new student registrations ahead of the opening of the academic year, contributing to the overall nationwide student population of more than 1.277 million.
Updated Assessment Approach
The new academic year also brings changes to assessment for Cycle 3 students studying Group A subjects.
Under the updated approach, school-based assessments and central assessments will each account for 50 per cent of the final assessment weighting.
Teachers will additionally conduct diagnostic assessments designed to identify learning gaps and help schools provide targeted classroom support.
Project-Based Learning and Assessment will also expand across the education system, reaching more than 129,000 students in 366 schools. Grade 7 students will undertake an integrated project combining Arabic, English, mathematics and science, encouraging students to apply knowledge across multiple disciplines.
Looking Toward the Future
The beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year represents another step in the UAE’s effort to build an education system capable of preparing students for the future.
With families, teachers and schools working together, the emphasis extends beyond textbooks and examinations toward developing practical abilities, confidence, creativity and a continuous desire to learn.
For the UAE, educating the next generation is closely connected to national development. As Sheikh Mohamed’s message emphasizes, investing in students means investing in the country’s future—through knowledge, ambition, skills, identity and values.
