Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum
- Law Type: Federal Decree-Law
- Law Number: [number] of 2025
- Issued Date: 01 Oct 2025
- Effective Date: 15 Oct 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 809
- Sector: Education
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 32
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Decree-Law regulates the governance of the National Educational Curriculum in the United Arab Emirates. It aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the design, approval, implementation, review, and development of the National Educational Curriculum, ensuring its consistency, stability, and responsiveness to changes and future needs. The law defines the roles and responsibilities of various authorities, including the Cabinet, the Education, Human Development and Community Council, and the Ministry of Education, in overseeing the curriculum. It also sets out the conditions and components of the National Educational Curriculum, the process for proposing and approving changes, and special provisions for private schools. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Arts. 1-13) The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE, as it ensures the quality and competitiveness of the national education system, which is crucial for preparing students for integration into society and the labor market, both locally and internationally. It also provides a clear governance framework for the development and implementation of the National Educational Curriculum, promoting transparency, accountability, and community participation. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Arts. 1-13)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this Federal Decree-Law extends to all educational institutions in the UAE, both public and private, that apply the National Educational Curriculum, as well as private schools that are required to teach the Mandatory Subjects. It also applies to any governmental, private, or non-profit entities that submit proposals to develop, amend, or update the National Educational Curriculum. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 3) The purpose of this law is to achieve three main objectives: (1) regulating the approval of the elements of the National Educational Curriculum as a binding reference to ensure its consistency and stability, while preserving the necessary flexibility to update it; (2) establishing a comprehensive legal governance framework for the design, approval, implementation, review, and development of the National Educational Curriculum; and (3) enhancing the quality of the National Educational Curriculum to strengthen the competitiveness of the education sector and improve students' readiness for integration into society and the labor market. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: United Arab Emirates (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Ministry: Ministry of Education (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Minister: Minister of Education (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Council: Education, Human Development, and Community Council (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Center: National Center for Education Quality established within the Education, Human Development and Community Council (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Local Educational Authority: The local government authority concerned with private education affairs, each within its respective competencies (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- National Educational Curriculum: The national educational content approved in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law and the legislation in force in the State (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Educational Pathways: The different routes or directions that a student may pursue within the educational system, in accordance with their interests, capabilities, and future aspirations (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Learning Outcomes: The results, knowledge, skills, and values expected to be acquired by a student upon completion of a specific educational stage or course (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Teaching Methods and Methodologies: The approach or method adopted by the teacher in delivering knowledge and developing students' skills and values (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Educational Institutions: Public and private general education institutions in the State that apply the National Educational Curriculum (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
- Mandatory Subjects: Subjects that all Educational Institutions and private schools not applying the National Educational Curriculum are required to incorporate and teach within their curricula (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations and requirements under this law include: 1. The National Educational Curriculum must be aligned with the National Education Charter, which defines the national objectives of education, the graduate profile, national identity and societal values, targeted competencies, and general pedagogical principles. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 5) 2. The National Educational Curriculum must comprise specific components, including national standards, Learning Outcomes, principles of curriculum design, Teaching Methods and Methodologies, Educational Pathways, language of instruction, learning time, subjects, and educational content. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 5) 3. The Cabinet is responsible for approving the National Education Charter, the National Educational Curriculum, and fundamental changes thereto. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6) 4. The Council is responsible for providing the general strategic direction of the National Educational Curriculum, reviewing its alignment with national policies, and approving the National Education Charter and the National Educational Curriculum prior to their submission to the Cabinet. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6) 5. The Ministry is responsible for preparing the National Education Charter and the National Educational Curriculum, as well as providing relevant educational resources, materials, and mechanisms for preparing educational personnel. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals or entities. It focuses on the governance and approval processes for the National Educational Curriculum itself, which is the responsibility of the Cabinet, the Council, and the Ministry of Education. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly mention any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or entities. It is primarily focused on establishing the governance framework for the National Educational Curriculum and the roles and responsibilities of the various authorities involved. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for the governance and enforcement of this law are: 1. The Cabinet, which is the supreme authority responsible for approving the National Education Charter, the National Educational Curriculum, and fundamental changes thereto. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6) 2. The Education, Human Development, and Community Council, which is responsible for providing the general strategic direction of the National Educational Curriculum, reviewing its alignment with national policies, and approving the National Education Charter and the National Educational Curriculum prior to their submission to the Cabinet. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6) 3. The Ministry of Education, which is the executive and technical authority responsible for preparing the National Education Charter and the National Educational Curriculum, providing educational resources and materials, and preparing educational personnel. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6) 4. The National Center for Education Quality, which is responsible for evaluating the quality of the implementation of the National Educational Curriculum and measuring its impact. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6) 5. The Local Educational Authorities, which are responsible for supervising the implementation of the National Educational Curriculum and the Mandatory Subjects in private schools. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 6)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. It focuses on the governance and approval processes for the National Educational Curriculum and does not mention any enforcement mechanisms or sanctions. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not mention any fees, charges, or financial provisions related to the National Educational Curriculum or its governance. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not specify any exemptions or exceptions. It applies to all educational institutions in the UAE, both public and private, that apply the National Educational Curriculum, as well as private schools that are required to teach the Mandatory Subjects. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 3)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not mention any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures. It is focused on the governance and approval processes for the National Educational Curriculum and does not address how any potential disputes would be resolved. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not specify any deadlines or time limits, except for the effective date of the law, which is 15 October 2025. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 13)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related legislation: 1. The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates 2. Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of the Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers, as amended 3. Federal Decree by Law No. (18) of 2020 Regarding Private Education, as amended 4. Federal Decree by Law No. (42) of 2024 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Education, Human Development and Community Council (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Decree-Law came into effect on 15 October 2025, as stated in Article 13. It was published in the Official Gazette No. 809 on 14 October 2025. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum, 2025, Art. 13)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.