With an increasing emphasis on youth development and employability in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made substantial efforts to re-imagine and reform its public education sector. Local education authorities have implemented many reforms to try to shift education from rote memorization toward a skills-based system that prepares students to thrive in the 21st century. This policy paper explores the history of public-school curriculum development in the UAE, including intended, implemented, and achieved curricula; the role of various agencies, ministries, and current initiatives in this ongoing development; and the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead on the road of reform. It concludes with recommendations for policymakers relating to the implementation of sustainable curriculum reforms.
Recommended citation: Tandogan, V., & Ridge, N. (2022). Public school curriculum development in the United Arab Emirates (Policy Paper No. 60). Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.
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