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Education in the UAE: Past and Present

Foundation of the UAE: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was officially formed in 1971 with the unity of six Emirates, later joined by a seventh in 1972.
Key Figures: His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum played pivotal roles in this unification.
Government Structure: The Supreme Council of the UAE, comprising rulers from all Emirates, elects the president and vice president every five years.

Official Status: Islam is the state religion, and Arabic is the official language.
Expatriate Influence: The UAE hosts many expatriates who practice diverse religions and languages; English, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog are widely spoken.

Oil Discovery: Transition to oil production has significantly elevated the nation's income, marking it among the richest globally.
Ministry of Happiness: Recent initiatives, like the ministry established to enhance residents' well-being, signify a move towards prioritizing quality of life.

Early Livelihoods: Prior to oil discovery, activities included date palm cultivation, fishing, and pearl diving.

Early Education: Pre-1971 education focused on religious and cultural knowledge transmitted orally.
Key Phases: Education developed through several stages:
- Mutawa and Katateeb: Teaching focused on the Quran, basic Arabic, and math, using repetition as a primary method.
- Educational Circles: Led by esteemed scholars; instruction was more formal and intensive.
- Semi-organized Schools (1907-1953): Emerged due to cultural revivals, marked by increased emphasis on the Arabic language and math to support family businesses.

School Features:
- Funded by local merchants and pearl traders.
- Provided basic education in religion, Arabic, literature, math, and geography.
First Schooling Efforts: Al-Qasimiah School established in 1930, adopting the Kuwaiti educational model.

Ministry of Education: Established in 1972, initially relied on foreign curricula, transitioning to a local curriculum by 1985.

Kindergarten: Ages 4-5
Primary Education: 6 years, ages 6-12
Preparatory Education: 3 years, ages 12-15
Secondary Education: 3 years, ages 15-18, leading to Secondary School Leaving Certificate.

Public Schools: Serve mainly national students; operate primarily in Arabic with English as a second language.
Private Sector Growth: Private schools cater to expatriates, with many Emiratis preferring them due to perceived better quality and teaching methods.

Statistics: Approximately 50% of students in international schools are Emiratis, reflecting lost confidence in public education.
Factors Influencing Choice: Preference for English language instruction due to its necessity in higher education institutions.

2017 Developments: Introduction of Moral Education to enhance student well-being.
Subject Additions: New English subjects include life skills and health sciences; increased emphasis on physical education and arts.

Increased English Medium Instruction: New reforms emphasize English instruction, especially in secondary education.

Major Institutions: UAE University (1977), Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology; historically, instruction was Arabic but shifted to English in 2005.

Growing Presence: Establishment of branches of prominent international universities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while Sharjah develops the University City as an education hub.