Pupils at public and private sector schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum will be given the opportunity to tailor their own studies from the next academic year to better equip them for higher education and their future careers.
The Ministry of Education on Monday announced the introduction of an elective subject model for Grade 11 and 12 learners in an effort to ensure the nation's youth reach their full potential.
The new programme will initially be introduced for Grade 11 secondary school pupils – aged 16 and 17 – in the 2023-24 academic year.
Final-year Grade 12 pupils – aged 17 and 18 – will be integrated into the new education scheme in the following year.
The Ministry of Education curriculum is taught largely at the UAE's government-run schools but is also offered at some private schools.
The ministry said the strategy would allow pupils to select subjects which best suit their academic abilities, coming in the crucial years before enrolling at university or joining the world of work.
“The elective subjects’ model will contribute to developing the educational system in the country to better meet student potentials, enabling them to excel in both their academic and professional careers," said Ahmad Al Falasi, Minister of Education.
"Our goal is to use the electives' model to encourage students and parents to participate more effectively in the education process.
"Periodic evaluations will be conducted to the implementation of the new model with all schools and relevant authorities in order to monitor the system implementation and improve its outcomes.”
How does new system work?
Pupils will be required to complete six core subjects as part of their studies - Arabic language, Islamic studies, social studies/moral education, English language, maths and physical and health education.
The remaining subjects are divided into new elective groups, the first comprising biology, chemistry and physics.
The second group is made up of computing, creative design and innovation, health sciences and arts.
Pupils can devise a study plan from these elective groups to meet their interests and aspirations.
The total number of subjects and classes will vary for each pupil depending on their chosen plan, the ministry said.
UAE's education vision
Last May, the UAE announced a shake-up at the Ministry of Education with new ministers chosen and a brief to re-evaluate how young people are taught.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the goal was to ensure graduates were well prepared for workplaces of the future.
Mr Al Falasi became Minister of Education, having previously served as Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs.
Sarah Al Amiri, an engineer who has led the UAE's space agency during a time of significant progress, was named Minister of State for Public Education and Future Technology, and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates' Schools Establishment.
In February, the Ministry of Education said universities in the UAE would be allowed to set their own entry requirements for pupils studying at publicly run schools.
The Emirates Standardised Test, known as Emsat, will be no longer be a mandatory requirement for admission to the country's higher education institutions.
The new rules will come into effect for the start of the next academic year in September.
Universities that choose to continue to use Emsat will have the freedom to set the minimum score needed by students.
They will have the option of relying on final exams approved by the ministry or requesting other internationally approved assessments such as A levels or the International Baccalaureate.
The decision was made after discussions with universities, parents and pupils.
“It is part of the ongoing efforts to develop the national education system,” said Mr Al Falasi at the time. "The move followed multiple consultations with an aim to serve the interests of students and their academic future."
UAE sets out education plans - in pictures
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
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Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full
1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Palestine and Israel - live updates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
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RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
