The UAE Ministry of Education has announced that traditional homework will be cancelled for students from Kindergarten through Grade 2 in public schools from the 2026–2027 academic year. The move affects young pupils in government schools and is designed to support their developmental needs, reduce unnecessary pressure and create a healthier balance between classroom learning and home life. Families will instead be encouraged to support simple daily reading routines.
- Location: UAE public schools
- Organisation: UAE Ministry of Education
- Status: Takes effect in the 2026–2027 academic year
- Who is affected: Kindergarten to Grade 2 students in public schools
- What changes: Traditional homework will be removed
- What’s next: Schools will focus on classroom-based learning and families will be encouraged to support daily reading at home
UAE public school students from Kindergarten to Grade 2 will no longer receive traditional homework under new education changes announced by the Ministry of Education for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The decision is aimed at giving younger children more time for rest, play, reading and family interaction while ensuring that foundational learning takes place through structured classroom activities.
The announcement was made as the Ministry outlined its readiness for the new academic year, which begins for students on Monday, August 31, 2026. The wider package also includes changes to assessments, expanded project-based learning, early diagnostic testing and a nationwide school evaluation programme.
Why is the UAE cancelling homework for younger students?
The Ministry of Education said the decision reflects the developmental needs of early learners and is intended to make better use of classroom learning while creating a healthier balance between school and family life.
Instead of sending young pupils home with traditional assignments, schools will focus on developing literacy, communication and other foundational skills through engaging activities during the school day.
Families will still have an important role. Parents and guardians are being encouraged to establish simple daily reading routines at home, helping children build early literacy and develop a positive relationship with books.
The change means learning will not disappear after the school bell rings. Instead, the focus at home is expected to shift away from routine worksheets and assignments towards reading and family interaction.
Does the no-homework rule apply to all UAE schools?
The announcement specifically applies to students from Kindergarten through Grade 2 in UAE public schools.
Parents with children enrolled in private schools should not assume that the same policy automatically applies to every private institution. School policies can differ depending on the curriculum, school operator and relevant education authority.
The Ministry’s 2026–2027 academic calendar applies to public schools and private schools following the Ministry curriculum, while other private schools may operate according to calendars and arrangements approved by their local education authorities.
For families, this makes it important to check directly with their child’s school about any changes to homework policies for the new academic year.
What other changes are coming to UAE schools in 2026–2027?
The removal of traditional homework is part of a wider set of education updates announced ahead of the new school year.
One major initiative is the expansion of diagnostic assessments. Teachers and school staff will use these assessments to identify learning gaps early and develop targeted support, intervention and reading plans based on students’ needs.
The Ministry is also continuing its focus on skills-based and project-based learning. A new integrated project for Grade 7 will bring together subjects including Arabic, English, mathematics and science, allowing students to apply knowledge across different areas rather than treating each subject entirely separately.
According to the Ministry’s announcement, the Grade 7 integrated project will be introduced across 366 schools and is expected to reach around 29,000 students.
How are assessments changing for older students?
The Ministry has also announced updates to the assessment system for older students.
For Cycle 2 students in Group A subjects, school-based assessments will carry 50 per cent of the final weight, while central assessments will account for the remaining 50 per cent.
The change is part of a broader approach that gives schools a larger role in evaluating student progress alongside centralised assessments.
Alongside this, project-based learning and assessment are being expanded to help students demonstrate how they can apply what they learn in practical settings. Diagnostic testing will also allow schools to spot areas where additional support may be needed earlier in the academic year.
What is happening with school evaluations and digital learning?
The Ministry has also announced plans to evaluate 100 per cent of government schools and Ministry-licensed private schools.
The evaluation process is scheduled to begin in the first term and continue over the next two academic years. According to the Ministry, the programme will assess institutional and educational quality against national standards, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and support schools in developing sustainable improvement plans.
Digital learning is also being reviewed. The Ministry is expanding its programme regulating the use of digital tools in education to include all Grade 6 students in public schools, following earlier work aimed at ensuring technology is used where it provides genuine educational value.
The no-homework policy is likely to be welcomed by many parents of younger children, particularly families trying to balance school routines with work, rest and family time.
For pupils, the biggest change is that routine academic work will be concentrated more heavily inside the classroom. At home, the Ministry is encouraging a simpler approach centred on daily reading.
The policy also forms part of a broader shift in the UAE’s education system, combining early identification of learning gaps, more practical assessment methods, greater attention to foundational skills and a review of how technology is used in classrooms.
With more than 1.27 million students expected to return to more than 1,180 public and private schools for the new academic year, the changes form part of a major nationwide back-to-school programme. The Ministry has also prepared new schools and educational complexes, school buses and millions of textbooks ahead of the August 31 start date.
FAQs
Will KG to Grade 2 students in the UAE have homework in 2026–2027?
No. The UAE Ministry of Education has announced that traditional homework will be removed for Kindergarten to Grade 2 students in public schools.
Does the UAE homework rule apply to private schools?
The announcement specifically covers public schools. Parents with children in private schools should check with their individual school or relevant education authority.
What will children do instead of homework?
Schools will focus on literacy, communication and foundational learning through classroom activities. Families will be encouraged to support simple daily reading routines at home.
When does the new no-homework policy start?
The policy is part of the 2026–2027 academic year. Students are scheduled to begin the new school year on August 31, 2026.
Are there other education changes for the new academic year?
Yes. The Ministry has also announced changes to assessments, expanded project-based learning, diagnostic testing, wider school evaluations and updated approaches to the use of digital tools in education.
For young children in UAE public schools, the new academic year will bring one major change: no traditional homework from Kindergarten through Grade 2.
Instead, the Ministry of Education wants foundational learning to happen in a structured classroom environment, while home time can include reading, rest, play and family interaction. The policy is one of several changes being introduced as the UAE prepares for the 2026–2027 academic year.
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