UAE Public Schools Announce Major Overhaul: No Homework for Young Pupils and Reduced Screen Time

Young pupils from kindergarten to grade two in UAE public schools will have no homework throughout the coming academic year, while grade-six pupils will not use digital screens in four major subjects, the Education Ministry has announced.

Speaking at a back-to-school readiness conference in Dubai, Minister of Education Sarah Al Amiri said pupils in grade six will use books, paper and notebooks to study English, Arabic, science and maths.

“Children in all public schools from kindergarten to grade four don't use any devices in the classroom except to learn tools in specific classes, so that's already been a policy. Now we're looking at middle school,” Ms Al Amiri told The National.

The drive is based on the findings of a study that revealed the impact of screen time on pupils' cognitive development. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, noted that better inter-student relationships and friendships formed because of the reduction in screen time in classrooms.

The study covered 2,500 pupils in nine public schools, which were divided into two groups to identify the effect of regulating digital tools. The findings showed a clear improvement in academic performance in classrooms without digital tools across all grades, particularly in maths, science and Arabic, alongside marked improvements in behaviour, discipline and focus.

“Those students that were in no-device classes, their retention nearly doubled, their behaviour overall was better and there was better inter-student relationships and friendships formed because of the reduction in screen time,” Ms Al Amiri said.

Cancelling homework for young pupils from kindergarten to grade two aims to improve the quality of learning in school and promote a better balance with family life, while encouraging daily reading at home.

Limiting digital tools in sixth grade and removing homework for children in kindergarten to grade two does not currently apply to private schools. Additional plans for the new academic year include projects to evaluate all public and private schools licensed by the Ministry of Education, the launch of a specialised training week for teachers and school leaders, and adjusted pupil assessment methods.

Furthermore, diagnostic tests will be introduced to help teachers accurately determine academic levels and detect gaps in learning early in the academic year.

With an enrolment of more than 26,700 new pupils and the opening of 11 new schools and education complexes, the total number of pupils in public schools in the UAE has reached 1,277,000. All schools are set to welcome pupils back to the classroom on August 31.