Throughout 2025, the UAE's education system saw a wide range of development initiatives, such as curriculum revisions, a strong emphasis on emerging technology, and significant improvements to higher education and scholarship programs.

Initiatives to develop talent and promote scientific research were introduced in 2025. One such project is the Zayed Education Foundation, which aims to support 100,000 young talents by 2035 and equip them to spearhead global economic, social, and environmental advancement.

The UAE became one of the first nations in the world to include AI in school curricula that year when it became a required topic for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

For Cycle 3 students in public and private institutions, the Ministry of Education released revised curricula that adhere to the national curriculum.

While the general stream permits specialization in humanities, literature, business administration, law, arts, and social sciences, the advanced stream allows students to pursue higher education in engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and sciences.

Additionally, a framework covering all approved curriculum for teaching Arabic, Islamic education, and social ideas in kindergartens at private schools was approved by the government.

In the meantime, in order to improve students' preparedness for the workforce and regulate scholarship programs in accordance with national priorities and important economic sectors, the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council (EHCD) adopted new criteria for students pursuing higher education overseas.

Furthermore, the Council authorized an amendment to the student age requirement for admission to kindergarten and grade 1.

For all schools and kindergartens whose academic calendars start in August or September, the official age cut-off will change to December 31 of the admission year starting with the 2026–2027 school year.

The Pre-Departure Week program was introduced by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to help 300 students from ADEK Scholarship programs get ready for their impending academic trips overseas.

Qualitative improvements were also implemented during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Only the first and third semesters still use centralized tests, which were eliminated at the conclusion of the second semester and replaced by school-based summative examinations.

The Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher has initiated a groundbreaking development initiative called "Executive Educational Excellence Pioneers" in collaboration with the Emirates College for Advanced Education.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships initiative, which includes a number of programs, was also introduced in 2025.

As part of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities' strategic goals for local expansion, a new campus was opened in Madinat Zayed, in the Al Dhafra region, in October.

The branch will provide specialized courses in Islamic and social studies as well as humanitarian activities, strengthening the principles of coexistence, tolerance, and citizenship.