Students across the UAE will return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, following a new directive from the Ministry of Education, marking the end of more than a month of distance learning.

“The Ministry of Education announces the resumption of in-person learning for all enrolled children, students, educational staff, and administrative staff in public and private nurseries, kindergartens, and schools effective Monday, 20 April 2026,” the ministry said in its latest statement.

The decision follows the completion of school readiness plans across the country.

“This follows schools’ completion of the necessary readiness and preparation plans, including facility preparedness, training of educational and administrative staff, and updating safety and security procedures, thereby reinforcing a safe and reassuring learning environment for students and their families,” the statement added.

Private schools will be given flexibility to implement hybrid models where needed, depending on operational requirements and readiness levels.

“Private schools will have the flexibility to implement the hybrid rotational model when needed, in accordance with approved regulations and under the supervision of local education authorities,” the ministry said.

However, authorities stressed that teaching quality and staff workloads must be carefully managed under any hybrid approach.

“Private schools implementing the hybrid rotational model must organise staff deployment in a manner that supports continuity of learning and does not require assigning the same teacher to deliver both in-person and remote instruction simultaneously,” the statement said, adding that this is aimed at “preserving education quality and balancing professional workloads for teaching staff.”

The ministry also emphasised that schools must remain prepared for any potential shifts back to alternative learning models if required.

“Educational institutions will remain prepared to transition to alternative learning modes when needed, ensuring continuity of education with flexibility and smooth implementation,” it said.

The return to classrooms comes after schools moved to distance learning in early March amid regional developments, with the arrangement extended several times before this latest confirmation.

Attention now turns to local regulators, including the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), to outline how the return will be implemented on the ground.

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Read more: KHDA, SPEA lock in April 20 return for schools and universities in Dubai, Sharjah

IT’S CONFIRMED: The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed a return to schooling on April 20, 2026.

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8:55pm – Comment from group editor, Gareth van Zyl

Finally, the update many parents have been waiting for has arrived from the UAE Ministry of Education. Attention now turns to local regulators, including the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), to outline how the return will be implemented on the ground.

Notably, the ministry has introduced flexibility for private schools, allowing them to adopt a hybrid model where needed.

Here are some key excerpts from our latest article:

Read the full article here: UAE Ministry of Education announces return to in-person learning for April 20

Students across the UAE will return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, following a new directive from the Ministry of Education, marking the end of more than a month of distance learning.

“The Ministry of Education announces the resumption of in-person learning for all enrolled children, students, educational staff, and administrative staff in public and private nurseries, kindergartens, and schools effective Monday, 20 April 2026,” the ministry said in its latest statement.

The decision follows the completion of school readiness plans across the country.

“This follows schools’ completion of the necessary readiness and preparation plans, including facility preparedness, training of educational and administrative staff, and updating safety and security procedures, thereby reinforcing a safe and reassuring learning environment for students and their families,” the statement added.

Private schools will be given flexibility to implement hybrid models where needed, depending on operational requirements and readiness levels.

“Private schools will have the flexibility to implement the hybrid rotational model when needed, in accordance with approved regulations and under the supervision of local education authorities,” the ministry said.

However, authorities stressed that teaching quality and staff workloads must be carefully managed under any hybrid approach.

7:20 — Google searches in the UAE spike for KHDA

Thousands of people have been searching for the term ‘KHDA’ today. Screenshot below from Google Trends, which measures traffic demand for certain search terms.

7:00pm — Assessment changes introduced for distance learning

Earlier today, the UAE’s Ministry of Education announced has introduced a revised assessment approach for subjects taught during distance learning, aimed at ensuring fairness while maintaining academic standards.

Under the new system, some subjects will not be assessed in the third term, with final grades instead based on performance in the first two terms. Others will continue as normal, with students evaluated through coursework such as projects and assignments.

The Ministry has stressed that the changes will not negatively impact students’ final results, with schools expected to share further details on how the updated system will be applied.

11:15am — Nurseries begin phased return from April 16

Authorities in Dubai and Sharjah have already confirmed a gradual return to in-person learning, starting with early childhood centres reopening in phases from April 16, signalling a broader, staged reopening strategy across the education sector.

UAE education system: who regulates schools across the country?

The UAE’s education system is overseen by a mix of federal and emirate-level authorities, with responsibilities split between public and private education.

Here’s a breakdown of the key bodies shaping school education across the country:

Federal level: overall policy and public education
UAE Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education (MoE) sets national education policy and oversees public schools across the UAE. It is responsible for curriculum standards, academic frameworks, and nationwide initiatives.

The MoE also regulates some private schools, particularly in the northern emirates where no separate local authority exists.

Dubai: private education regulator
Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)

KHDA regulates all private schools in Dubai. It oversees licensing, inspections, and performance ratings through the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB).

KHDA also sets guidelines on fees, wellbeing, and innovation, and is typically the authority issuing announcements on school closures, reopenings, and operational changes in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi: integrated regulator
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK)

ADEK oversees both public and private schools in Abu Dhabi. It manages licensing, curriculum approvals, and inspections, and plays a central role in policy implementation within the emirate.

Sharjah: private education oversight
Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA)

SPEA regulates private schools and nurseries in Sharjah. It handles licensing, quality assurance, and operational decisions, including reopening timelines and safety protocols.

Northern Emirates: federal + local mix

In Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah:

UAE Ministry of Education

The Ministry directly oversees most public schools and many private institutions.

RAK Department of Knowledge (RAK DOK)

Ras Al Khaimah has its own authority for private education, working alongside the Ministry to regulate schools in the emirate.

How it works in practice

Public schools → run by the Ministry of Education
Private schools in Dubai → regulated by KHDA
Private schools in Abu Dhabi → regulated by ADEK
Private schools in Sharjah → regulated by SPEA
Other emirates → mostly Ministry-led, with some local oversight

Why it matters now

In situations like school closures or reopening decisions, announcements are typically made at the emirate level (KHDA, ADEK, SPEA), often aligned with broader federal guidance.

That’s why parents across the UAE may receive updates at different times — depending on the authority governing their school.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) has approved its 2026–2030 strategy, marking a shift from rapid expansion to a new phase focused on sustained value creation, efficiency and long-term economic impact.

The strategy was endorsed by PIF’s Board of Directors, chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of PIF, and builds on the fund’s previous growth phase to further support Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and enhance quality of life.

The 2026–2030 roadmap emphasises maximising returns, improving investment efficiency and strengthening governance, transparency and institutional standards. It also places greater focus on enabling private sector participation as a key partner in economic development.

Three-pillar investment structure

Under the new strategy, PIF has organised its investments into three core portfolios:

Vision Portfolio: Focused on developing competitive domestic ecosystems, integrating investments and unlocking opportunities for private sector participation and global partnerships
Strategic Portfolio: Designed to manage key national assets, maximise financial returns and support the growth of companies into global champions
Financial Portfolio: Aimed at delivering sustainable financial returns through diversified global investments and strengthening international partnerships

The Vision Portfolio will drive six strategic ecosystems aligned with national priorities:

• Tourism, Travel and Entertainment
• Urban Development and Livability
• Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation
• Industrials and Logistics
• Clean Energy, Water and Renewables Infrastructure
• NEOM

These sectors are expected to deepen economic diversification and create new opportunities for investors, suppliers and partners.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, said: “PIF’s strategy continues to deliver results as we grow domestically and internationally. In less than a decade, we have launched unprecedented projects, including giga-projects and major real estate developments, in addition to unique investments in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, gaming and esports, and renewable energy. PIF also grew assets under management six-fold and attracted global partners and capital to take part in Saudi Arabia’s transformation. PIF will continue to support Saudi Vision 2030 objectives by delivering competitive domestic ecosystems, investing in national champions that have the potential to scale globally, and forming global economic partnerships, building on what has been achieved under PIF’s 2021-2025 strategy.

“The 2026-2030 strategy is a natural next step in PIF’s growth journey. It offers our partners more opportunities to invest in high-quality assets and ecosystems, alongside PIF. In the next five years, we will continue to build on our great achievements and strengthen our global leadership to deliver success for PIF and Saudi Arabia.”

Strong performance foundation

The new strategy builds on significant milestones achieved in recent years:

• Assets under management (AUM) grew from $150bn in 2015 to over $900bn
• Annualised total shareholder return exceeded 7 per cent since 2017
• More than $199bn invested in Saudi projects between 2021 and 2025
• Over $243bn contributed to non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) between 2021 and 2024
• More than $157bn spent with the local private sector between 2021 and 2024

PIF has also expanded its global footprint with offices across North America, Europe and Asia, while maintaining strong credit ratings from major agencies.

The strategy reinforces PIF’s role as both a domestic growth engine and a global investor, with a focus on innovation, data and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as capital efficiency and sustainable returns.

The fund said it will continue to invest flexibly across local and international markets, responding to emerging opportunities while supporting Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic diversification goals.

The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) has launched a new Pension Advisory Service designed to offer precise legal and technical guidance on the UAE Pension Law, marking a significant step in improving retirement planning support across the country.

Accessible through the Ma’ashi digital platform, the service enables users to better understand pension regulations, navigate procedures, and make informed decisions with greater clarity and transparency, according to a WAM report.

The initiative allows members to receive personalised guidance on their pension status, including the ability to calculate both current and projected pension entitlements at the end of service. By offering tailored insights, the service empowers users to explore optimal social security options and identify opportunities to enhance long-term financial security.

Read more-Dubai’s DIFC offers temporary economic support for businesses, retail community

“The GPSSA is dedicated to supporting customers by delivering reliable information and precise guidance on pension and social security laws in the UAE,” said Hind Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Pension Sector at the GPSSA.

She added, “Our mission is to equip beneficiaries with a clear understanding of their pension status and available options, enabling them to make informed financial decisions for a secure and stable retirement. While we ensure the accuracy of the information provided, the responsibility for final decisions ultimately rests with the customer.”

Seamless booking and virtual consultations

Customers can access the service by logging into their accounts on the Ma’ashi platform, selecting the Pension Advisory Service option, and booking an appointment at a convenient time. Once confirmed, users receive a link to join their consultation via Microsoft Teams.

The GPSSA has advised members to review their profiles in advance and prepare relevant questions to maximise the value of each session. Consultations are conducted by a specialised team to help insured members better understand their benefits and plan effectively for retirement.

The launch reflects GPSSA’s broader commitment to enhancing digital government services and improving user experience. By introducing proactive and accessible solutions, the authority aims to streamline service delivery while supporting financial stability for its members.

This initiative aligns with GPSSA’s ongoing digital transformation strategy, which focuses on reimagining government services to meet evolving customer needs and strengthen retirement preparedness nationwide.

Games for Change, in partnership with Tencent Games, has launched a new programme aimed at helping families better understand and engage with the role of video games in young people’s lives.

The initiative builds on the Raising Good Gamers programme, as global gaming audiences continue to expand, with an estimated 3.3 billion players worldwide. The development is particularly relevant for high-growth regions such as the Middle East, where gaming adoption is rising rapidly across markets including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.

As part of the initiative, the partners have released a new white paper titled Raising Good Gamers: What Families Need to Know About Video Games and Well-Being, authored by Dr Rachel Kowert, Research Director at Games for Change.

The research draws on data from 15 countries and seven languages, alongside interviews with parents and game developers, to provide insights into how families, educators and policymakers can approach gaming in a more balanced and informed way.

The programme will also deliver practical tools and resources for families, schools and youth organisations. Developed by Arana Shapiro, chief programme officer at Games for Change, these include workshops and conversation guides designed to help parents engage constructively with their children’s gaming habits.

The materials focus on promoting positive play, including respectful behaviour, communication and community participation.

Global rollout with Middle East expansion planned

Following a pilot workshop in the United States (US) in March, the programme is set to roll out across the US and the United Kingdom (UK) in September. The initiative is expected to expand internationally, including into the Middle East, in the next phase.

Susanna Pollack, president of Games for Change, said: “For many parents, video games are a meaningful part of their children’s lives, but one they don’t always feel equipped to navigate. As gaming continues to evolve, families are increasingly looking for balanced, practical support. Through this partnership and accompanying research, we’re bringing together data, behavioural science and the voices of families themselves to help address the questions parents have and give them the tools to engage with gaming in a more informed, confident and constructive way.”

Danny Marti, head of public affairs at Tencent, added: “Video games are an enriching and widely enjoyed part of modern life, yet public debate around games is too often shaped by narrow or incomplete narratives. Raising Good Gamers reflects a belief that positive play is a shared responsibility, one that benefits from collaboration across industry, researchers, educators, policymakers, and families. By grounding the conversation in evidence and practical experience, this partnership aims to support more informed decision-making and a more balanced understanding of the role video games play in young people’s lives.”

The initiative will also be featured in an upcoming episode of the Good Game Club podcast, set for release on April 16, 2026, and will be showcased at the Games for Change Festival in New York in July 2026, where full findings from the white paper will be presented.

The partnership reflects growing industry efforts to shape more constructive, evidence-based conversations around gaming, particularly as younger, digitally native populations drive global growth in the sector.