“As the new school year begins, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to students, teachers, parents and all those involved in the education sector,” the president said in a statement.
He added that “education is the cornerstone of our nation’s continued progress, underpinned by a comprehensive and advanced system that maximizes learning, encourages collaboration between schools and families, and promotes the responsible use of AI and new technologies while integrating knowledge, values and strong character.”
While 280,000 public school students and hundreds of thousands of students following a Western curriculum are starting a new school year, most students in Asian schools are returning to school for the second term after the summer holidays.
Thousands of students studying a range of curricula marched to new schools opening across the country. In Dubai alone, six new private schools opened, adding 16,000 seats. Twelve new public schools opened across the country, and 13 reopened after extensive maintenance.
With the early morning rush hour at its peak after a two-month break, police, transport and school authorities worked together to ease congestion around schools, with some schools staggering start times and some choosing to resume classes later for certain grades.
At many schools, parents and students could be seen lining up in an orderly fashion, preparing to enter. On many campuses, welcome messages and colorful decorations greeted the students.
The schools came alive with cheers and tears as older children excitedly reunited with younger children starting kindergarten for the first time, and pupils in some schools were excited to wear their new uniforms.
In preparation for large numbers of students returning to school, education authorities and school staff have taken additional safety measures: schools have been equipped with necessary facilities and teachers have received special training to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
Authorities have conducted multiple school reopening campaigns. The Ministry of Education launched a nationwide campaign titled “From Students to Leaders” aimed at encouraging engagement across the region in supporting students and contributing to developing future leaders. In Sharjah, random school inspections are planned to prevent violence and abuse against students as part of new safety measures.
Health and education officials also launched social media campaigns to educate and remind parents and students about catching up on learning, establishing good sleep habits and preparing healthy school lunches, and urged students to reconnect with friends before returning to school to ease first-day nerves.