UAE schools to implement cybersecurity education in their curriculum starting in 2025
UAE Announces Nationwide Cybersecurity Initiative for Schools
In a significant move towards digital safety and resilience, the UAE Ministry of Education has announced that it will fully implement a cybersecurity curriculum across all grades from Grade 1 to Grade 12 starting in the 2025–26 academic year. This means that students at every grade level, from 1 to 12, will be taught cybersecurity concepts simultaneously at the beginning of that academic year.
The initiative, which aligns with the UAE’s broader digital transformation goals, aims to foster a secure and AI-ready population. The curriculum is designed with increasing complexity tailored to developmental stages, covering basics like online safety in early grades and advancing to more practical digital protection strategies in higher grades.
In the early grades, Grade 1 pupils will learn the basics of staying safe online. By Grades 2 and 3, students will explore the concept of the "digital world" and what the internet is. As they progress through school, lessons delve deeper into online safety, cybersecurity, and protective measures.
High school students (Grades 9-12) will study networks and the internet in the curriculum. In Grade 12, a dedicated "Cybersecurity" guide will be introduced to prepare students for further study or careers in related fields.
The materials are designed to help create a secure educational environment in step with the country's rapid technological transformation. They offer theoretical and practical foundations to help students use the internet and modern technology responsibly. The aim is to strengthen students' ability to recognize safe behavior and identify common digital risks.
The initiative introduces specialized teaching guides in English addressing digital safety and cybersecurity. The education system is being embedded with 21st-century skills, with cybersecurity treated as a core competency.
Education experts have welcomed the move, stating it will bolster students' resilience against online threats. The Ministry of Education in Dubai will integrate cybersecurity concepts into the national curriculum from Grade 1 to Grade 12, starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
The move is part of the ministry's strategy to adapt to an era of accelerated digital transformation and widespread use of smart devices in classrooms. The materials are designed to help raise students' awareness of digital threats and readiness to address them. The ministry has also emphasized the need for cooperation between schools and families to reinforce these concepts both in and out of the classroom.
The UAE's vision of building a digitally resilient society is evident in this initiative. By equipping students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely, the UAE is taking a significant step towards achieving this vision.
- The UAE's cybersecurity initiative extends to education and self-development, aiming to prepare students for careers in related fields, such as cybersecurity.
- In the technology realm, the UAE Ministry of Education is introducing specialized teaching guides on digital safety and cybersecurity for students from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
- This nationwide plan for cybersecurity education addresses the need for students to be aware of digital threats and ready to handle them, contributing towards the UAE's goal of creating a secure and AI-ready population.
- As part of the country's digital transformation strategy, the education system is incorporating 21st-century skills, including cybersecurity, to help students make informed and safe decisions in a technology-driven environment.
