The UAE government has placed education at the heart of national development.

The country’s goal of becoming a knowledge economy, where progress is based on human capital rather than natural resources, fits neatly into that plan.

From the very beginning, this nation has prioritised education. 

The Ministry of Education was among the first federal authorities that were set up when the UAE became an independent country in 1971.

Today, the ministry looks after 280,000 students, attending around 800 public schools across the UAE.

The ministry has taken many steps to better manage this responsibility. To cut paperwork and time, an independent office in each of the seven emirates has been established to deal with local problems. Known as education zones or councils, they work with the Dubai-based ministry in all parts of the nation.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council, for example, has teamed up with private sector companies to modernise schooling in the capital.

The Public-Private Partnership for Public School Management was launched in 2006 as a three-year test programme across select schools, and will eventually cover all schools in Abu Dhabi.

Besides opening up school management to outside agencies, the ministry is also using technology as a reform tool.

The ministry wants computer access for every two students in preparatory school, for instance.

Meanwhile, the IT Education Project is another government undertaking to boost high-tech learning.

The IT Education Project trains students in 40 schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.