How KHDA’s New Policy and the E33 Strategy Are Shaping the Future of Learning.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s (KHDA) new ‘Policy on Arabic Language Provision’ ensures a robust foundation in Arabic while maintaining flexibility in early childhood education. Under the vision of Arwa Naccho, Principal and CEO of Green Grass Nursery, the institution has been a pioneer in bilingual learning, seamlessly integrating Arabic into its curriculum to foster both language proficiency and cultural appreciation.
Key Goals of Education 33 (E33)
The Education 33 (E33) strategy, announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, represents a transformative vision for Dubai’s education system. This strategy shifts the focus from a traditional, institution-centric model to a learner-centric ecosystem, tailored to individual needs and aspirations.
Will there be a standardised Arabic curriculum for early childhood education, or will schools have the flexibility to design their own approach?
Arwa Naccho: Prior to the KHDA’s introduction of the new policy, the Arabic curriculum for early childhood education lacked consistency. Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) were free to develop their own language programmes to suit their curriculum and demographics. While the new KHDA policy does not enforce a standardised Arabic curriculum, it ensures that all children receive a strong foundation in the language during their early years. Nurseries still retain autonomy in designing their own Arabic curriculum, provided they adhere to KHDA’s regulations on language models, assessment strategies, and teacher qualifications.
ECCs are now able to structure their own approach as long as it aligns with the KHDA framework. At Green Grass Nursery, Arabic is seamlessly woven into the daily activities of children through an English-based bilingual model. The curriculum follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework while incorporating Arabic in an engaging and developmentally appropriate manner.
What qualifications and training will be required for educators teaching Arabic to young children?
Arwa Naccho: The KHDA’s Arabic Language Policy mandates that every nursery must have an adequate number of certified Arabic teaching staff. Educators must meet the KHDA’s requirements, which include:
- Demonstrating proficiency in teaching Arabic
- Completing at least 20 hours of annual training focused on language acquisition and interactive teaching methods
At Green Grass Nursery, all Arabic teachers are native speakers who receive regular training to exceed KHDA’s requirements and ensure the highest quality of language instruction.
How will students’ progress in Arabic language learning be assessed at such an early stage?
Arwa Naccho: Each setting will develop an assessment strategy in line with KHDA guidelines, adapted to its curriculum philosophy, the demographics of the children, and parental expectations.
At Green Grass Nursery, an EYFS-based institution, teaching focuses on oracy and core literacy skills in Arabic. The most effective assessment methods involve observation, play-based interactions, and portfolio reviews. In a language-rich environment, teachers monitor verbal communication, storytelling, and daily engagement. A combination of parental input and checklists ensures a natural, child-led approach to assessment, avoiding formal testing while aligning with KHDA’s vision for Arabic learning.
Each year, classroom environments, teaching practices, and curriculum alignment undergo evaluation. Additionally, Green Grass Nursery provides parents with detailed progress reports and maintains an appraisal system for Arabic teaching staff.
How does this initiative align with Dubai’s diverse linguistic environment, where many children grow up speaking multiple languages?
Arwa Naccho: To provide equitable access to learning and maximise linguistic development, educational environments should support multilingualism through diverse language programmes.
Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, where children are exposed to multiple languages from an early age. In the UAE, Arabic learning is encouraged from childhood, with native speakers required to study the language later in their academic journey.
The E33 strategy aims to strengthen Arabic language acquisition from the early years by promoting the use of the mother tongue, particularly among Emirati children. Responsibility for fostering Arabic language development is shared between parents, early childhood care and education (ECCE) providers, and the wider community. The KHDA policy supports multilingualism while maintaining a balance between Arabic and other languages.
Why has Green Grass Nursery been implementing bilingual education since its inception?
Arwa Naccho: Since 2013, Green Grass Nursery has led the way in integrating Arabic into early childhood education, dedicating an hour each day to Arabic learning.
Co-founder Arwa Naccho recognised early on the vital role language acquisition plays in cognitive development. In 2018, she introduced a structured bilingual model that places equal emphasis on Arabic and English, ensuring children develop strong foundations in both languages.
According to Arwa, Arabic is more than a language; it is an essential aspect of Dubai’s heritage and cultural identity. She believes that all children, regardless of their linguistic background, benefit from exposure to Arabic, as it fosters language proficiency, cultural appreciation, and a global mindset.
- Arwa’s vision aims to:
- Bridge the gap between home language and formal education
- Ensure all children, irrespective of their background, appreciate Arabic as a fundamental component of the UAE’s heritage
- Equip students with essential skills for academic success, problem-solving, and creativity
How has this bilingual model benefited Green Grass Nursery students?
Arwa Naccho: Our bilingual approach has yielded remarkable benefits for children both socially and academically:
- Primary schools recognise our graduates for their strong linguistic abilities and confidence
- Research indicates that bilingual children demonstrate enhanced creativity, problem-solving skills, and adaptability
What are Green Grass Nursery’s plans to further enhance its bilingual model following the KHDA mandate?
- Increase parental involvement in Arabic language learning
- Develop more inclusive Arabic play activities
- Introduce additional parental education programmes highlighting the importance of early Arabic learning
- Implement enhanced teaching and training strategies
Arwa Naccho: With KHDA’s introduction of the ‘Policy on Arabic Language Provision’, our approach has become a model for others, reinforcing our role as pioneers in bilingual early education. Our young learners thrive, communicating confidently, problem-solving creatively, and embracing their cultural heritage.
The Green Grass Nursery bilingual framework empowers future generations through innovative Arabic and English play-based learning. By 2025, we aim to expand our team of Arabic specialists and introduce a bilingual Primary Key Stage 1 and 2 programme for children aged 5 to 7 years. We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate with a larger educational organisation to scale our bilingual model.
Green Grass Nursery remains committed to setting a benchmark for bilingual excellence in Dubai, leading the way in Arabic-English early childhood education for over five years.
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