Latest news with #MariamAlHallami
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Abu Dhabi makes 4 hours of weekly Arabic lessons mandatory for nursery and KG students
Abu Dhabi to mandate 4 hours of Arabic weekly for KG students to boost early fluency and cultural identity Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced a landmark policy requiring all private and educational partnership schools to dedicate four hours (240 minutes) per week to Arabic language instruction for children in early childhood education, starting from the 2025–2026 academic year. The mandate applies to all early years levels, from nursery (pre-KG) to KG2 (second year), and will increase to five hours weekly (300 minutes) starting in 2026–2027, ADEK confirmed. Language as identity: The intent behind the policy While the directive enforces instructional time, ADEK emphasises that the goal goes far beyond curriculum metrics. '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 in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity, and connection starting from day one. We want Arabic to feel natural, interactive and alive in every classroom and every home,' she added. The policy's timing is deliberate: backed by research showing that early childhood is the most effective period for language acquisition, the strategy aims to root Arabic as a living, thriving language in children's daily lives, both at school and at home. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Undo ADEK highlighted that although Arabic is commonly spoken at home in Abu Dhabi, many children still lack the confidence to use it fluently. The initiative is designed to close that gap by ensuring consistent, quality instruction through immersive methods and active family engagement. Dual track learning: Native and non-native speakers To meet diverse classroom needs, the program will follow two dedicated learning tracks: One for native Arabic speakers to deepen their fluency and mastery Another for non-native speakers and newcomers to develop strong foundational language skills The instruction will be delivered through interactive, age-appropriate techniques, including: Play-based learning Storytelling Music and songs Hands-on exploration To ensure quality, schools will employ specially trained teachers and use modern learning resources. Schools are also encouraged to build strong school-home connections, sharing tools and activities to keep children engaged with Arabic even outside the classroom. Bridging policy gaps in early education The initiative aligns with ADEK's broader goals to harmonise Arabic instruction between nurseries, currently regulated under its Early Education Institutions (EEI) policies, and Cycle 1 education, which is governed by the Ministry of Education. By standardising Arabic exposure across all early education providers, Abu Dhabi is aiming to build language skills, foster cultural belonging, and ensure that children are well-prepared as they transition to formal schooling. A nationwide push to prioritise Arabic Abu Dhabi's new policy is part of a wider national effort to revitalise Arabic language learning from birth to school age, with similar actions now being taken in other emirates: In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rolled out a policy in February 2025 requiring Arabic instruction for all children from birth to age six in private schools and early childhood centres. In Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi , Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, decreed in November 2024 that Arabic become the medium of instruction in all government nurseries. He also stressed early education's role in supporting children's development, nutrition, and wellbeing. This bold move by Abu Dhabi reflects a strategic cultural investment: reinforcing Arabic not just as a language subject, but as a core identity marker for the next generation, native and non-native speakers alike.
The National
15 hours ago
- General
- The National
Abu Dhabi pre-schools to teach four hours of Arabic a week in new academic year
Abu Dhabi will require pupils from the age of three to be taught Arabic for four hours a week from the start of the new academic year, authorities have announced. The strategy, announced on Monday, aims to support efforts to promote the use of the language from an early age, the Department of Education and Knowledge said. Under the new School KG Arabic Curriculum Policy, children of pre-kindergarten age (three to four) to those of kindergarten 2 age (five to six) will receive "240 minutes per week of structured, age-appropriate Arabic instruction" in the 2025-2026 academic year, which is to begin at the end of August. This will increase to five hours a week from the 2026/2027 academic year, as part of a broader push to immerse young people in the language. The directive applies to all children in those age groups, including native Arabic speakers. The lessons will be built around play, storytelling, songs and exploration to help young children connect with Arabic, the department said. The initiative outlines two learning tracks. The first is designed to improve the fluency of native Arabic speakers, with the second tailored for non-native speakers and those new to the Emirates. Championing Arabic language 'This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons,' said Mariam Al Hallami, executive director for early education at the department. 'It's about giving every child in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity and connection, starting from day one. We want Arabic to feel natural, interactive and alive in every classroom and every home.' The initiative aims to bridge the gap between Arabic learning for children in pre-school and the start of mandatory Arabic instruction at schools. In October, the department announced that nurseries in Abu Dhabi would be required to employ at least one Arabic-speaking teacher and encouraged institutions to provide more training staff to promote the everyday use of the language. It said the mandate would be introduced at the emirate's more than 200 nurseries – referred to as early childhood institutes by the authority – for the 2025/2026 academic year. UAE leaders have consistently highlighted the need to preserve and protect the Arabic language for generations to come. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has long supported the preservation of the language, which is spoken by more than 300 million people around the world. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in May last year that there was an urgent need to foster Arabic language skills in young people.
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- General
- Al Etihad
ADEK sets 240-minute Arabic mandate for kindergartens
9 June 2025 14:02 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced a new policy that will bring Arabic into every private and charter kindergarten across the emirate, starting from Pre-KG to KG2, beginning Fall 2025. Beyond literacy, it's about anchoring the next generation in their linguistic roots and establishing a strong foundation in the mother tongue from the very move aims to nurture language, identity, and belonging from the very first years of the new ADEK School KG Arabic Curriculum Policy, all young learners will receive 240 minutes per week of structured, age-appropriate Arabic will increase to 300 minutes per week beginning in the 2026/27 academic new policy ensures that every child, whether a native speaker or learning Arabic for the first time, receives consistent, high-quality instruction during the most critical phase of language development and has the opportunity to grow up confident in the language that connects them to their culture, community, and initiative is timely as research confirms that young children learn languages most effectively and Arabic represents more than a subject; it is a connection to identity, values, and recent survey showed that while Arabic is widely spoken at home, many children still struggle to use it confidently. This policy bridges that gap with schools and families working together to keep Arabic alive and will be engaging, built around play, storytelling, songs, and policy outlines two tracks: one designed to deepen mother tongue skills for native Arabic speakers, and another tailored for non-native speakers and will ensure that each child is supported at their level, whether a native speaker or a beginner. And with specially trained teachers, modern materials, and exciting classroom activities, Arabic will become a language students look forward to using every day.'This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons,' said Mariam Al Hallami, Executive Director Early Education. 'It's about giving every child in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity, and connection starting from day one. We want Arabic to feel natural, interactive and alive in every classroom and every home.'This new policy bridges the gap between Arabic learning in nurseries, implemented through ADEK's Early Education Institutions (EEI) policies, and the start of mandatory Arabic instruction in Cycle 1 in line with Ministry of Education requirements, supporting steady language development during the early are also a big part of the journey. Schools will share tools and updates, so families can join in the fun, whether practising new words at home, reading stories together, or taking part in Arabic-themed school events. The new kindergarten Arabic curriculum is part of ADEK's bigger vision: to make Arabic not just something children learn, but something they live.
