UAE Grade 7 pupils to complete cross-subject projects in Arabic, English, maths and science.
Abu Dhabi: More than 129,000 pupils across 366 government and private schools in the UAE will take part in an expanded project-based learning and assessment programme during the 2026–2027 academic year. The initiative is designed to move learning beyond textbooks and encourage practical problem-solving.
The Ministry of Education said the approach will continue for Cycle 2 pupils across four core subjects — Arabic, English, mathematics and science. Students will be expected to identify problems, research possible solutions, and then design, test and refine their ideas.
Projects will be completed in classrooms in groups of three to five pupils, while each student will be assessed individually. According to Al Bayan newspaper, two lessons per week in each subject will be dedicated to the projects, giving teachers the opportunity to monitor students’ progress and skills throughout the process.
The ministry said the model is designed to provide a more accurate assessment of each pupil’s abilities while developing key skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and problem-solving.
The projects will be carried out in two main stages.
The first stage, focused on planning, requires pupils to research their chosen topic, identify and analyse a problem, and propose possible solutions.
In the second stage, pupils will develop a product or model, turning their ideas into a tangible outcome that can be presented to an audience.
Teachers will follow a dedicated guide outlining the requirements for each stage, while schools will implement monitoring and quality-control measures to ensure projects meet the required standards.
A key change for the 2026–2027 academic year will see Grade 7 pupils complete their first integrated project combining all four core subjects.
The project will combine Arabic, English, mathematics and science, enabling pupils to apply knowledge and skills from multiple subjects to a single practical challenge.
The ministry said the approach is designed to help pupils draw connections between different areas of knowledge rather than treating each subject as a separate discipline.
It also shifts learning from simply receiving information towards applying it to real-world issues and situations that require research, analysis, teamwork and the development of innovative solutions.
The ministry outlined three key objectives for the project-based learning and assessment model.
The first objective is to develop a broad range of skills, including critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication, as well as personal responsibility, self-management and the ability to organise work across different stages.
The second is to strengthen national identity and a sense of belonging through projects linked to the UAE’s vision, values and culture, while encouraging pupils to address issues at local, national and global levels.
The third is to support core educational outcomes by directly linking projects to the learning objectives of the four main subjects.
Other skills targeted by the programme include research and exploration, innovation, time management, digital and cultural awareness, responsible citizenship and entrepreneurship.
