Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed highlight the partnership between families, educators, and schools in shaping future generations.
ABU DHABI, August 31, 2026:Students, educators, and families across the United Arab Emirates returned to classrooms on Monday as senior government leaders called for an academic focus rooted in national identity, continuous learning, and responsible technological engagement.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council, extended his congratulations to the national academic community as the 2026–2027 school year officially commenced.
Emphasizing the nation’s strategic focus on long-term human development, Sheikh Abdullah noted that education in the UAE extends beyond standard academic metrics. The learning journey, he stated, must prioritize critical life skills, national heritage, and personal responsibility toward family and community.
Sheikh Abdullah encouraged students to engage actively with modern tools, emphasizing the responsible deployment of emerging technologies. He pointed to teachers and families as essential pillars of guidance, urging young people to pursue career pathways aligned with both their personal ambitions and the country’s economic future.
Echoing these priorities, Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chair of the Council, highlighted the necessity of tailored educational environments. She noted that schools must nurture individual student strengths, build self-confidence, and create secure spaces where intellectual curiosity can thrive.
Sheikha Mariam framed education as a shared ecosystem involving students, parents, schools, and the wider community. Collective responsibility remains key to ensuring young people develop the initiative needed to contribute meaningfully to national progress.
reinforcing the leadership’s message, Hajer Ahmed Al Thehli, Secretary-General of the Council, stated that the fundamental value of contemporary education lies in fostering critical thinking and adaptability. Modern learning environments must prepare students to question, analyze, and continually evolve alongside shifting global dynamics.
As schools resume full operations across the Emirates, authorities continue to implement updated educational frameworks aimed at integrating technology into curricula while maintaining a strong grounding in local cultural values.
