Is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools? Yes. Every private school in Dubai must teach Arabic However, the track your child follows, the year groups it covers and the way it is graded all depend on nationality and age.
This guide explains the current rules from KHDA and the Ministry of Education, so you know exactly what to expect on your child’s timetable and school report.
Is Arabic Compulsory in Dubai Schools? The Short Answer
Arabic is a national mandatory subject across every curriculum, whether British, American, IB or Indian and this applies to all private schools in UAE, including those following a British curriculum.
So, is Arabic mandatory in UAE private schools outside Dubai too? Yes. The requirement comes from the federal Ministry of Education, while each emirate’s regulator oversees it locally.
What this means in practice:
- Arab students: Arabic as a first language is compulsory from Year 2 to Year 13.
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Non Arab students: Arabic as an additional language is compulsory from Year 2 to Year 10. This applies across all international schools in UAE, regardless of the curriculum offered.
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Early years: since September 2025, children aged 4 to 6 in Dubai private schools and nurseries also learn Arabic, with later phases extending the policy to younger children. Parents choosing best primary schools in Dubai should factor this in from the start.
- Nationality: schools use the nationality on the student’s Emirates ID to decide which track applies.
Ministry of Education Subject Requirements Explained
The framework comes from Ministerial Resolution 194 of 2023, which sets standards and minimum weekly time for national subjects in private schools a key factor when deciding which curriculum is best in UAE for your child.
KHDA turns these standards into Dubai guidelines, updated from the 2025/26 academic year.
Those guidelines are the official answer to is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools for every private school in the emirate.
1. Why Is Arabic Compulsory in Dubai Schools?
Arabic sits at the heart of the UAE’s cultural identity.The policy gives every child, Emirati or expatriate, real access to the language of the country they are growing up in.
2. Compulsory Subjects in Dubai Private Schools
The compulsory subjects in Dubai private schools that sit alongside the licensed curriculum are:
- Arabic, as a first language or an additional language
- Islamic Education for Muslim students
- UAE Social Studies for Arab students
- Moral, Social and Cultural Studies for non Arab students
That last subject covers civic and cultural themes. Our overview of the Moral Education UAE Curriculum explains what children study at each stage.
3. How KHDA Monitors Arabic Provision
The Arabic requirement KHDA sets must be delivered as standalone lessons during the official school day, measured in 40 minute lesson units.
KHDA’s quality assurance teams monitor implementation, and falling short counts as a breach of KHDA regulations.
Arabic A and Arabic B: Which Track Does Your Child Follow?
Once you know the answer to is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools, the next question is which track applies.Schools usually call the two tracks Arabic A and Arabic B.
| Arabic A | Arabic B | |
|---|---|---|
| Also known as | Arabic as a first language | Arabic as an additional language |
| Who takes it | Students registered as Arab nationals, including Emiratis | Students of all other nationalities |
| Compulsory years | Year 2 to Year 13 | Year 2 to Year 10 |
| Main focus | Full literacy, grammar, literature and extended writing | Everyday communication across listening, speaking, reading and writing |
| After the compulsory years | Continues to graduation | Optional from Year 11 |
Arabic as a First Language for Arab Students
For Arab families, is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools right through to graduation? Yes.
Students registered as Arab nationals follow Arabic as a first language from Year 2 to Year 13. They read literary texts, study grammar in depth and write at length.
Arabic also matters for equivalency with the UAE general secondary certificate, so it never becomes optional.
Arabic as an Additional Language for Non Arab Students
Arabic for non native speakers UAE wide follows one Ministry framework, built around four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Arabic classes in Dubai schools for this track begin with letters and everyday vocabulary. Students then move towards short texts and simple paragraphs.
Parents shortlisting schools can see how this fits into a wider British timetable in our guide to the best British schools in Dubai, including options that offer IGCSE pathways.
If you are relocating and asking is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools for a child starting in Year 9, the answer is yes until the end of Year 10. Families evaluating secondary schools in Dubai should confirm Arabic provision before enrolling.
Schools adapt teaching for newcomers with no prior Arabic. Good support in the first year makes a real difference to confidence.
Arabic Assessment and Reporting
Is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools only on paper, or does it actually count? It counts.
Teachers track progress through classwork and tests, and schools report achievement to KHDA. Arabic also appears on the school report with its own grade.
This mirrors the structured, evidence based reporting parents expect under British Education Standards in UAE.
A weak Arabic grade is visible, so follow progress in this subject as closely as English or maths.
Exemption From Arabic: When Does It Apply?
Exemption from Arabic is rare.KHDA grants exemptions or curriculum modifications only case by case, mainly for students of determination whose documented needs make the standard provision unsuitable.
Neither finding the language hard nor planning to move abroad is a valid reason on its own.
So, is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools for a child with additional learning needs? In principle, yes.
The Arabic requirement KHDA sets still applies. What changes is how the school adapts content, and any modification needs KHDA approval first.
How SIG Schools in Dubai Approach Arabic
At Scholars International Group, Arabic at our Dubai schools follows KHDA requirements within the British curriculum. Beyond language, our iXCEL programme supports students with enriched academic development across all core subjects.
Dubai Scholars Private School has served Dubai families since 1976, and The Scholars School will open in Al Quoz in 2027. Alongside academics, SIG students benefit from extracurricular opportunities including The Sports Academy.
A common question at admissions: is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools for a child who has never studied it? It is.
Our approach to Arabic classes in Dubai schools is to place each student on the right track from day one and support newcomers with the basics.
Final Word for Parents
So, is Arabic compulsory in Dubai schools? For almost every child, yes.
Arab students study it from Year 2 to Year 13, non Arab students from Year 2 to Year 10, and the youngest learners now meet it from the early years.
Knowing which track applies helps you plan support early. When you are ready to take the next step, you can Apply Online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Arabic compulsory for non Arab students in Dubai private schools?
Yes. Non Arab students study Arabic as an additional language from Year 2 to Year 10, after which it becomes optional.
2. From which year group does Arabic become mandatory?
Formal Arabic lessons are mandatory from Year 2, which is Grade 1, for all students. Since September 2025, Dubai private schools also teach Arabic to children aged 4 to 6, and the policy will extend to younger ages in later phases.
3. Do Arabic marks appear on the school report?
Yes. Arabic is reported as a standalone subject with its own grade, and schools share Arabic achievement data with KHDA.
