April 2026: Schools Are Building Structure Around Digital Learning and AI Use

Across the Middle East and North Africa, recent education coverage highlights a growing push to make digital change more deliberate. From AI literacy initiatives to debate over how educators should guide AI use in schools, and from teacher perspectives on classroom technology to longer-term academic planning, these stories reflect an emphasis on creating structure to support student readiness. 

Arab News: Hour of AI program equips Makkah students, teachers with digital skills 

The “Hour of AI” programme in Makkah introduces students and teachers to generative AI tools through the Madrasati platform. The initiative is framed around building practical digital skills and helping participants understand how AI can be used in learning and instruction. It also draws on a broader framework for AI competencies in digital education, linking the programme to structured expectations rather than informal experimentation.  

Teach Middle East: Parents vs Teachers vs AI | Who’s Really in Control? With Yasir Naveed Riaz 

This recent Teach Middle East piece explores the tension between students’ fast adoption of AI tools and the challenge adults face in guiding that use responsibly. It addresses some key questions around authority, trust, and digital literacy in education. 

Morocco World News: TALIS Report: 94% of Morocco Teachers Say Digital Tools Boost Student Interest 

Recent TALIS coverage from Morocco reports strong teacher support for digital tools in the classroom; 94% of teachers surveyed felt digital tools boosted student interest. It also highlights views on academic performance, classroom collaboration, and the role technology can play in keeping students engaged. At the same time, there are concerns around distraction and uneven uptake of more advanced tools, such as AI.  

Teach Middle East: Ministry of Education announces academic calendar for the next three years 

The UAE Ministry of Education has set out the academic calendar for the next three school years, giving public and private schools a longer planning horizon. This announcement focuses on creating a more stable structure for instructional time, holidays, and the overall rhythm of the school year, reflecting a broader effort to balance consistency with student outcomes, while giving schools and families clear expectations well in advance.