From Fall 2025, ADEK will require 240 minutes of Arabic instruction weekly in all kindergartens, nurturing language, identity, and belonging.
Abu Dhabi: In a strategic move to embed language, identity, and cultural pride from the earliest years, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced a new policy mandating 240 minutes of Arabic instruction per week in all private and charter kindergartens, starting Fall 2025.
This initiative covers Pre-KG to KG2 and aims to establish a solid foundation in Arabic, enabling every child—whether a native speaker or beginner—to confidently engage with the language that connects them to their roots.
The weekly instruction will increase to 300 minutes by the 2026/27 academic year, under the ADEK School KG Arabic Curriculum Policy, ensuring age-appropriate, high-quality Arabic education during a child’s most crucial language development stage.
Learning That’s Playful, Purposeful, and Inclusive
The curriculum offers two distinct tracks—one for native Arabic speakers to deepen their mother tongue, and another for non-native speakers and newcomers, making learning inclusive and tailored. Children will engage in Arabic through songs, stories, play, and interactive activities, making the language come alive in daily experiences.
“This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons,” said Mariam Al Hallami, Executive Director of Early Education at ADEK. “It’s about giving every child the gift of language, identity, and connection, starting from day one.”
Bridging Nursery and Formal Arabic Instruction
The policy bridges the gap between Arabic learning in nurseries—already guided by ADEK’s Early Education Institutions (EEI) policies—and mandatory Arabic in Cycle 1, ensuring seamless and sustained language growth.
Empowering Families Alongside Schools
ADEK also encourages parental engagement, with schools providing tools and updates so families can reinforce Arabic learning at home. Activities like story reading, vocabulary games, and Arabic-themed events will help integrate the language into daily life.
This Arabic kindergarten mandate is part of ADEK’s broader vision: to make Arabic not just a school subject, but a vibrant, lived experience that shapes a child’s identity and sense of belonging from the start.
