The UAE's Ministry of Education confirms no changes to public school hours amid social media rumors while introducing significant curriculum updates like AI courses.

The Ministry of Education in the UAE has officially dismissed recent rumors concerning alterations to school hours for public institutions, spanning all levels including kindergarten. Social media had been buzzing with claims of a schedule shift.

In a clear statement, the ministry reaffirmed that current timings remain intact: Kindergarten sessions will continue from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on weekdays and wrap up at 11:45 am on Fridays. For students beyond kindergarten, classes run from 7:15 am to 3:15 pm Monday through Thursday, with Fridays following an earlier finish at 11:45 am.

This announcement arrives as the nation gears up for notable educational reforms ahead of the new academic year. Among the significant changes is the introduction of artificial intelligence as a compulsory subject across all grades starting in the 2025–2026 academic session. This initiative aims to prepare students for future challenges by equipping them with crucial skills in AI. Akhbrna News highlights that this addition underscores the UAE's commitment to pioneering education strategies.

AI Curriculum Set for Implementation

The Ministry has prepared an extensive AI curriculum encompassing seven core domains such as foundational AI concepts, ethical awareness, and problem-solving abilities. To deliver this program effectively, 1,000 trained educators are set to enter classrooms nationwide.

New Academic Year Begins August 25, 2025

The upcoming academic year commences on August 25, ushering in various updates reflecting UAE’s dedication to educational advancement. A new standardized national proficiency test will assess key skills among Grades 4 through 11 across subjects like Arabic, English, and Mathematics-targeting around 26,000 students initially.

Cultivating National Identity Through Education

This school year also marks a pivotal point for instilling national identity within young learners; mandatory lessons on Arabic language, Islamic teachings, and social studies are now integrated into private kindergartens' curricula throughout the Emirates. These efforts strive to foster cultural literacy alongside modern innovation-driven learning initiatives.