Private schools and early childhood centres in Dubai are now required to teach Arabic to children from birth to age six, under a new policy issued by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Experts broadly support the Arabic education mandate — but say curriculum reform and better-trained teachers are essential to make it effective.
Why the Curriculum Needs to Change
Dr. Juwaeriah Siddiqui, a doctoral researcher on non-Arab learner motivation, called the KHDA policy "a great step towards instilling positive motivation." But she warned it will only succeed if schools align the curriculum with what children already know. "If their basics are already set in place before six years of age, the learning curriculum should reflect that base knowledge," she said. Without that adjustment, students in higher grades end up repeating the alphabet rather than building on a solid foundation.
Duaa Abdelhaleem Adly, a teacher at Natarabia Arabic language centre, echoed that concern. She noted that the current curriculum often exceeds the level of early learners, and recommended integrating Arabic across all subjects rather than teaching it in isolation. "When it's not used in other subjects, students see it as useless," she said.
Play-Based Learning as the Way Forward
Naseem Hamza, an Arabic trainer and faculty member at Skyline University Sharjah, described the KHDA initiative as "the best idea ever," stressing that early exposure to a language leads to far more effective learning outcomes. He also advocated for converting Arabic into the medium of instruction across the curriculum, rather than treating it as a standalone subject.
Dr. Siddiqui runs Arabically, a play-based Arabic learning programme for children aged 4 to 12. For eight years, the initiative has used authentic storytelling and real-life engagement to make Arabic functional and natural for young learners. "My mission since day one has involved developing Arabic practicality by weaving it naturally into life through true storytelling," she explained. Interactive methods, she added, significantly improve language retention.
Teachers Must Be Properly Trained
Experts agree that even the best curriculum will fall short without adequately trained educators. Naseem Hamza stressed that teachers must know how to use modern technology alongside play-based instruction — transforming Arabic from a routine academic subject into a dynamic and engaging experience for young children.
The KHDA Arabic education policy rolls out in phases from September 2025, starting with children aged four to six before expanding to cover all children from birth to six. For Dubai private schools, the message from specialists is clear: the policy is sound, but its success depends on redesigning what is taught and how teachers deliver it.
