New classifications for people of determination in Dubai's private schools to provide structured education.

Dubai is rolling out new policies to classify disabilities in private schools and create alternative education paths for students with special needs. The Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority has launched 12 major initiatives since adopting its Education Strategy 2033, with 13,000 Emirati students now benefiting from enhanced educational programs.

Aisha Abdullah Miran, Director General of Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority, announced these changes as part of a broader push to build lifelong learning into Dubai's education system. The "Excel Wherever You Are" initiative has doubled its reach this year, now serving 13,000 Emirati students across 10 private schools.

The program works by connecting schools with local and international experts to boost student performance and competitiveness. Support teams from the authority monitor improvement plans and help schools build sustainable development capabilities.

Major Investment in Education

Dubai is making significant financial commitments to education reform. The emirate plans to establish Dubai National University with a 4.5 billion dirham investment, aiming to rank among the world's top 200 universities. Over the past two years, the Dubai Distinguished Students Program has provided more than 800 scholarships covering 50% of fees at top private schools.

The Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Program focuses on building national talent by funding studies in specializations taught at universities ranked in the global top 10. Each year, the emirate honors 40 top-performing students and provides them with advanced opportunities at leading universities.

Supporting Students with Special Needs

The authority launched the "Without Limits" initiative, which includes specialized policies and guidelines for inclusive education. They've issued a disability classification guide to ensure effective implementation of inclusive education and are working with Dubai Municipality to assess infrastructure readiness in educational institutions according to Dubai's building code.

Alternative educational pathways include modified curricula, supportive classrooms, individual plans, vocational and technical education, plus remote and blended learning options. Support activities range from occupational therapy and psychological counseling to arts and sports programs that build student confidence.

Teacher Development

The first phase of the "Educational Leaders" program for 2025-2026 includes 15 Emirati teachers supervised by five experienced educators. This falls under the "Stand for the Teacher" initiative, which aims to empower Emirati teachers and strengthen their central role in education.

The authority has addressed challenges facing Emirati teachers and worked to attract qualified educational talent. Leadership directives have resulted in golden residency permits for more than 200 distinguished teachers and educators in recognition of their contributions.

Arabic Language Focus

Arabic language education remains a core priority. The authority is implementing several projects under the "Language of Dhad" initiative, focusing on establishing Arabic's importance from early childhood. This includes mandatory Arabic teaching in early stages, improving Arabic and Islamic education results in private schools, and ensuring equal opportunities for all students from grades 1-12 to learn essential subjects.

2033 Strategy Goals

By 2033, Dubai aims to attract more than 100 new private schools, including 60 schools with acceptable fees. This aligns with the Dubai Executive Council's policy to promote good schools with reasonable fees, providing flexible educational opportunities that serve the interests of parents and investors while improving satisfaction levels.

The strategy focuses on expanding access to high-quality education for everyone, matching future trends for increasing student numbers and their evolving needs. The 12 initiatives implemented since October 2024 are designed to provide exemplary education for all during the next decade.