UAEE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has launched the National Education Charter, establishing a national reference that defines the vision, purpose, and long-term outcomes of education in the United Arab Emirates.
The National Education Charter sets out a unified foundation for the education system, the profile of the Emirati graduate, and the values and future competencies that will guide the nation’s learning journey, thereby reinforcing education as a sovereign priority and a central pillar of human development and nation-building.
The launch coincides with Emirati Day for Education, observed annually on 28th February, underlining the symbolic national importance of the occasion and reaffirming the UAE’s steadfast commitment to education as a sustainable path for development and progress.
The National Education Charter was signed during a ceremony at Qasr Al Bahr by President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman.
National Education Charter & Future of education
The National Education Charter articulates the UAE’s comprehensive vision for the future of education and clearly defines the attributes of the Emirati learner upon whom a values-rooted, globally competitive, and future-ready education system will be built.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
It establishes a coherent national direction that ensures long-term alignment of education policies, balancing the stability required for institutional continuity with the agility needed to respond to global transformations and the evolving needs of society and the labor market.
On this occasion, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that education remains the cornerstone of the UAE’s development journey, underscoring that investing in the Emirati citizen is the true guarantee of sustainable prosperity and long-term progress.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan President – UAE
“Building individuals who are proud of their national identity, firmly rooted in the Arabic language and Islamic values, and equipped with the skills of the future is a steadfast national priority and a strategic objective. We are advancing this through a fully integrated national education system that places the learner at the heart of development and ushers in a new phase defined by clarity of purpose, policy coherence, and sustainable impact.”
Human development as the core pillar
His Highness affirmed that human development stands as the central pillar of the National Education Charter. It aims to nurture an educated Emirati generation that is confident, firmly rooted in its national identity, guided by the values of loyalty and belonging, and motivated by initiative and responsibility. The National Education Charter outlines a comprehensive profile of the Emirati learner, one that combines a strong national foundation, well-balanced personal qualities, and advanced intellectual and practical skills.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
The President of UAE further stressed that education is the key to advancing the UAE’s broader national vision across all sectors by preparing future generations to lead with competence and vision. Achieving this goal requires strengthened governance throughout the education sector and the continuous development of policies aligned with national aspirations. The National Education Charter, His Highness noted, provides a clear and strategic roadmap for elevating education and fulfilling its national objectives.
A shared national responsibility
His Highness also underscored that education is a shared national responsibility, uniting schools, families, and the wider community within a cohesive ecosystem. This collective effort reinforces national identity, upholds Emirati values, preserves national achievements, and equips successive generations to contribute with confidence and capability.
The President highlighted that rapid global transformations demand proactive strategies that anticipate change and transform challenges into opportunities, thereby enhancing the resilience and future-readiness of the education system.
