If your early childhood centre is based in Dubai, starting September 2025, teaching Arabic to young learners will be compulsory.
Here is an article (below) that I originally posted on LinkedIn in February 2025, when the KHDA Policy was published.
If you follow me on LinkedIn you will know that I am committed to supporting high-quality early childhood education in the Middle East, (includes The Gulf) and Sub Saharan Africa. As an advisor I encourage educators in the industry to keep up to date with best practices and to show up with excellence. #highquality #earlychildhoodeducationmatters
I believe that I speak for the majority of early childhood educators in Dubai when I say that the new (February 2025), KHDA Policy on Arabic Language is a welcome development for the Emirate and (possibly) for the wider UAE and beyond. Best practice is best practice and everyone can learn from this.
Reading through the document, I can see the value that it will bring by providing the early childhood education sector with clear direction in terms of high-quality teaching and learning in Arabic. It is worth noting that some of the details in the Policy are part of existing practice, but the new policy will only enhance this.
For anyone who would like a quick overview, this is my summary, which is very much my opinion as an early years expert living in the UAE for over 18 years. I am a spokesperson only for myself.
However, if you are a professional in the ECCE sector in Dubai the 6-page document which is available on the KHDA website, will be mandatory reading.
Introduction to the Policy on Arabic Language Provision in Early Childhood Education
Arabic Acquisition for all learners - birth to six years
The policy is for: Emiratis | Native Arabic Speakers | Additional Language non-Arabic Speakers
Introducing Arabic in children’s early language experience
The promotion of the mother tongue to Emiratis is seen as a shared responsibility between parents, early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings and the wider community
It is expected to strengthen the Arabic language development in the early years
There will be a phased approach:
▶️Phase 1 - Children 4 to 6 years | Starting September 2025 or April 2026 (curriculum dependent)
▶️Phase 2 - Children 3 to 4 years
▶️Phase 3 - Children birth to 3 years
Approach
✅ Focus on oracy and foundational literacy in Arabic using play-based learning techniques and incorporating the UAE culture and values for all children.
✅A requirement for all settings to make clear in their communication channels and parent-ECC contracts the language model that will be adopted.
✅Settings will clarify the type of Arabic language they will offer choosing from one of five models:
Arabic as a language of instruction
Arabic-based bilingual model
English-based bilingual model
English-based multilingual model
Multilingual model
Curriculum
KHDA will be issuing curriculum design standards to ensure consistency across all settings, plus guiding principles to enable a shared understanding of early language development. And they will outline possible teaching strategies and practices tailored to various language models.
There will be planned Arabic curriculum and assessment strategies aligned to each setting chosen curriculum philosophy, demographics of the pupils and parental preferences.
End-of-phase assessments will be conducted to evaluate sector-wide output and progress and to inform policies and decisions.
Teachers
Settings serving children from 4 to 6 years must recruit a sufficient number of qualified Arabic teachers and ensure a minimum of one-third of children’s instructional time includes the presence of an Arabic teacher, engaging in daily activities.
Scheduling should be organised so that Arabic teachers are in each classroom at different times throughout the day aiming for integration of Arabic during (for example), mealtimes, playtime, core learning time.
Arabic teachers are required to participate in regular professional development in language acquisition and play/inquiry-based learning(a minimum of 20 hours annually).
Compliance
Starting from September 2025 or April 2026 (curriculum dependent), settings will have three academic years to ensure that existing and new staff meet the required qualifications.
Settings must be prepared to provide KHDA with evidence of the Arabic curriculum being taught. This will be aligned to KHDA guidelines as well as the setting’s chosen curriculum. AND they must demonstrate children’s progress in language acquisition.
Conclusion
This is the start of a welcome change.
Visit the relevant links on the KHDA site below.
As stated above it is important if this policy affects your daily work to read it in its entirety.
A helpful FAQ section available on the KHDA website - https://web.khda.gov.ae/en/Guides/Parents/Faq/FAQs-About-Arabic-Provision-in-Early-Childhood-Car
Link to KHDA Policy on Arabic Language - https://web.khda.gov.ae/getattachment/About-Us/Whats-New/Policy-on-Arabic-Language-Provision-in-Early-Child/Policy-on-Arabic-language-En.pdf.aspx?lang=en-GB
Patricia Mezu M.A.Ed., L.L.M.
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