2012 outlook for education in the UAE

An overhaul of the state education system is expected this year. The biggest change is to unfold in high schools, where a new curriculum is to be tested by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec). The number of subjects taught is to be cut from 13 to less than 10 and pupils are to have more options to choose from. The New School Model is to enter its next phase in Abu Dhabi schools, with more emphasis on technology-based teaching. Islamic education and Arabic textbooks for primary schools in all Government schools are to get a makeover to include information to introduce an interfaith dialogue. As the number of private schools continues to grow rapidly there is expected to be more stringent regulation. A new rulebook for private schools in the capital is expected from Adec this year, and a new framework to control tuition fees is to come into effect in Dubai.