No Homework, Less Screen Time: New UAE School Rules for 2026-27

Abu Dhabi School Changes 2026-27:  No Homework for Students

No homework for younger children and less screen time in classrooms are among the major UAE education changes for the 2026-27 academic year. For parents in Abu Dhabi, the new school year brings important changes in how some students learn, complete work at home and use digital devices in the classroom.

So, which students are affected? Is there really no homework for younger children? And what does the new screen-time policy mean for Grade 6 students? Here is what Abu Dhabi parents need to know about the UAE school changes for 2026-27.

UAE School Changes 2026-27: What Parents Need to Know?

The UAE Ministry of Education has introduced a number of education changes for the 2026-27 academic year.

Among the most talked-about changes are:

The reforms are designed to support children’s learning while creating a better balance between technology, reading, writing and classroom interaction.

No Homework for KG1 to Grade 2 Students

One of the biggest changes will affect younger students.

Children from KG1 through Grade 2 in schools covered by the Ministry of Education‘s policy will not receive traditional homework.

Instead, the focus will be on developing a daily reading habit. This could be welcome news for Abu Dhabi parents who regularly spend their evenings helping young children complete worksheets and other school assignments.

The change does not mean that children will stop learning after school. Instead, reading and other age-appropriate activities will play a bigger role in supporting their development.

What can Parents do at Home?

The aim is to make reading a natural part of a child’s daily routine rather than another formal homework task. Parents can make the most of the new approach by encouraging children to:

• Read storybooks every day
• Spend time reading with parents
• Talk about characters and stories
• Practise new vocabulary
• Develop a regular reading routine
• Reduce unnecessary recreational screen time

Less Screen Time for Grade 6 Students

Another major change concerns classroom technology.

Under the new approach, Grade 6 students in public schools will use pen and paper instead of digital tools for selected subjects, including:

• Arabic
• English
• Mathematics
• Science

The move follows a pilot involving around 2,500 students, with the Ministry of Education reporting improvements in areas such as student focus and performance among participating students.

Why the UAE Reducing Classroom Screen Time?

Digital learning has become an important part of modern education. However, the UAE education authorities are also looking at how much screen use is appropriate during lessons.

The latest changes aim to create a healthier balance between digital learning and traditional classroom methods.

For students, that could mean more opportunities to:

1. Write by hand
2. Read printed textbooks
3. Solve problems without a device
4. Participate in classroom discussions
5. Interact directly with teachers
6. Work with classmates

The goal is not to remove technology from education completely. Instead, the focus is on using technology where it adds value while maintaining essential traditional learning skills.

What does this mean for Abu Dhabi Parents?

Parents in Abu Dhabi should not assume that every school will follow exactly the same arrangements.

The UAE has different education authorities and school types, including government schools, private schools and charter schools.

Abu Dhabi’s education system is overseen by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which is responsible for developing and regulating education across the emirate.

Parents should therefore check their child’s school communications and the relevant education authority for school-specific information.

Are Abu Dhabi Private Schools included?

The reported reforms concerning Ministry of Education schools should not automatically be interpreted as a requirement that every private school in Abu Dhabi will operate under exactly the same arrangements.

Private schools can follow different curricula and regulatory requirements.

If your child attends a private school in Abu Dhabi, check directly with the school regarding:

• Homework requirements
• Digital-device policies
• Grade-specific learning arrangements
• Textbook requirements
• Classroom technology
• Parent communication procedures

UAE Textbooks and Learning Materials for 2026-27

The Ministry of Education has also introduced a new Student Curriculum Book Package Guide for the 2026-27 academic year.

The guide combines printed textbooks, educational resources and learning kits, along with electronic books available through the Smart Learning Platform.

Importantly for Abu Dhabi families, the approved textbook lists include a specific category for printed and electronic books for Abu Dhabi.

Parents should therefore check that their child receives the required learning materials for their grade.

What to do, if a School Book Lost or Damaged?

The new guide also explains how schools should handle lost or damaged textbooks.

If a book is accidentally lost or damaged, the student can submit a request to the school administration, which will review the situation and arrange a replacement where appropriate.

Where a book is deliberately lost or damaged, the replacement cost may be charged according to the applicable procedure.

When Did the 2026-27 UAE School Year Begin?

• The 2026-27 academic year began on August 31, 2026.

This means Abu Dhabi parents should already be checking their school’s latest communications for information about homework, textbooks, classroom devices and other arrangements for the new academic year.

FAQ

1. Which Grade 6 subjects will use pen and paper?

• The reported change covers Arabic, English, mathematics and science.

2. Does the no-homework rule apply to every Abu Dhabi school?

• Not necessarily. Parents should check whether their child’s school falls under the relevant Ministry of Education arrangements and follow the school’s official instructions.

3. What should parents do if their child attends a private school?

• Parents should contact the school directly to confirm its homework, screen-use and learning-material policies for 2026-27.

4. Where can Abu Dhabi parents find education updates?

• Parents should monitor official communications from their child’s school and relevant UAE education authorities, including ADEK where applicable.

Final Takeaway

The UAE school changes for 2026-27 are putting more attention on how children learn rather than simply how much work they take home. For younger students, the biggest change is no traditional homework from KG1 to Grade 2, with daily reading encouraged instead. For Grade 6 students in public schools, reduced screen use in key subjects means more pen-and-paper learning and traditional classroom interaction.

Key message for Abu Dhabi Parents: Don’t assume every school has identical rules. Check your child’s school and education authority for the exact arrangements that apply.