UAE President Welcomes New Academic Year With Message to Students, Teachers and Parents
By Thasmiya
As classrooms across the UAE come alive again, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has wished students, teachers, school administrators and parents a successful start to the **2026–27 academic year**.
More than **1.27 million students** are returning to schools across the country on Monday, August 31, marking the beginning of another year of learning for families and educators.
In his message, Sheikh Mohamed described the UAE’s children as the nation’s **“true wealth”** and encouraged students to approach the new school year with optimism, ambition and determination.
## **President Sheikh Mohamed’s message to students**
Marking the start of the academic year, Sheikh Mohamed congratulated everyone involved in the UAE’s education journey.
He encouraged students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them to gain knowledge and develop important life skills.
The President’s message went beyond academic achievement, highlighting the importance of preparing young people with the abilities they will need for their future.
Students were encouraged to begin the year positively, remain ambitious and make the most of their time in school.
## **More than 1.27 million students return to classrooms**
The beginning of the 2026–27 academic year is a major moment for the UAE’s education sector.
More than **1.277 million pupils** are returning to over **1,180 public and private schools** across the Emirates.
For families, the first day brings the return of school routines, buses, lessons and extracurricular activities after the summer break.
It also marks one of the busiest periods of the year on UAE roads as school traffic returns across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.
## **Families and schools encouraged to work together**
One of the key themes of Sheikh Mohamed’s message was cooperation between families and schools.
The President encouraged continued collaboration between parents and educators to help students develop a passion for lifelong learning.
This partnership, he said, can help young people acquire future skills while maintaining a strong connection to their identity and values.
The message reflects the UAE’s wider approach to education, where schools and families share responsibility for students’ academic and personal development.
## **Preparing students for future skills**
Future-ready skills remain a major priority within the UAE’s education strategy.
Schools are increasingly focusing on technology, artificial intelligence, problem-solving, creativity and other skills expected to become important in future workplaces.
But the UAE’s educational approach also places emphasis on life skills, personal development, national identity and values.
The President’s message highlighted the importance of bringing these areas together rather than viewing education only through grades and examinations.
## **Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed also welcomes students back**
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council, also congratulated students, families, teachers and education-sector employees as the new school year began.
He described education in the UAE as a comprehensive journey of human development that extends beyond academic achievement.
According to Sheikh Abdullah, education should help develop life and future skills, strengthen national identity and Emirati values, and build a sense of responsibility towards family, community and country.
He also encouraged students to make responsible use of emerging technologies as they continue learning and developing.
## **Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid welcomes students back**
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also marked the first day of the new academic year.
He said the beginning of every school year brings new energy, movement and ambitions for a better future.
Addressing students, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the role their classrooms, lessons and knowledge will play in building the UAE’s future.
He also praised teachers for spreading knowledge, nurturing talent and developing confidence among young people.
Parents, meanwhile, were described as the first partners in their children’s educational journey.
## **A new beginning for UAE families**
For parents and students, the beginning of a school year is about more than returning to classrooms.
It means adjusting sleep schedules, organising school transport, preparing uniforms and supplies, restarting homework routines and adapting to new teachers and classmates.
For some children, August 31 is their first-ever day at school. Others are entering a new grade, moving to a different school or preparing for important examinations.
The UAE leadership’s messages place students, teachers and families together at the centre of this new beginning.
## **Road safety returns to focus**
With more than a million students returning to classrooms, motorists should also expect increased traffic around schools during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods.
Drivers should slow down around school zones, follow crossing guards and pay particular attention to school buses.
Motorists must also stop when a school bus displays its extended **STOP sign**.
Parents using private vehicles should follow school drop-off procedures and avoid stopping in locations that block traffic or create unsafe conditions for children.
## **Why this matters**
The start of the 2026–27 academic year represents a fresh beginning for more than 1.27 million students and their families across the UAE.
President Sheikh Mohamed’s message puts the focus not only on academic success but also on optimism, ambition, lifelong learning, future skills, identity and values.
By highlighting cooperation between families and schools, the message reinforces a simple idea: preparing the UAE’s next generation is a shared responsibility.
As students return to their classrooms, the new academic year begins with a clear message from the country’s leadership — make the most of every opportunity to learn, grow and prepare for the future.
## **Source Credits**
Information source/resource owners: UAE Presidential Court, Emirates News Agency (WAM), Gulf News, The National and ARN News Centre.
## **Image Credits**
Image credit/resource owners: UAE Presidential Court, WAM, Gulf News and The National.