Overview of Education System
Since the formation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971, education has been a top priority in the country. The UAE offers all of its citizens a comprehensive, free public education from kindergarten through university. Approximately 36 percent of the UAE population attends public schools. Private education also is offered at different levels and is divided into three types: national private schools, foreign private schools, and foreign community schools. National private schools implement the Ministry of Education curriculum and textbooks, while the other types of private schools have their own curricula and textbooks approved by the Ministry.
A key component of government strategy has been the decentralization of educational authority from the Ministry of Education to local education bodies in each emirate. Three major bodies are working to improve the education sector: the Ministry of Education, which has full jurisdiction over the public schools and private schools (except in Abu Dhabi); the Abu Dhabi Education Council, which oversees public and private schools in Abu Dhabi; and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority, which regulates private schools in Dubai. Under this structure, the relationship among educational committees and councils in each emirate is clearly defined.
In the UAE, kindergarten is free and noncompulsory for children ages 3 to 5. The basic stage of education is compulsory and comprises two cycles: Cycle 1, covering Grades 1 to 5 (ages 6 to 10), and Cycle 2, covering Grades 6 to 9 (ages 11 to 14). The secondary stage offers education in general schools, religious schools, and through the Institute of Applied Technology. General and religious schools include Grades 10 to 12 (ages 14 to 17). Students in general schools who complete Grade 10 may choose between a public track and an advanced track for the remainder of their time in the secondary stage of education. Upon completion of Grade 12, students receive a Secondary School Leaving Certificate.
The Institute of Applied Technology is based in Abu Dhabi and has 20 campuses (14 schools, four colleges for the Fatima College of Health Sciences, and two colleges for Abu Dhabi Polytechnic) located throughout the UAE in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, the Western Region, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and Al Fujairah. The UAEʼs educational philosophy has been a strong initiative in its educational programs and calls for encouraging, educating, and preparing youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. The Institute was founded in 2005 through royal decree of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, as a corporate body with full financial and administrative independence. Upon completion of Grade 12, students at the institute receive a Secondary Certificate in Applied Technology, which is fully accredited by the local Ministry of Education.
In 2009, the federal Ministry of Education began integrating students from special needs centers into public schools. These students are assessed according to the specifications of Individual Educational Plans, and are promoted automatically to the next grade at the end of each academic year.