October 2026: More Global Classrooms, Tighter Rules, and Strong PISA Marks for the UAE and Saudi Arabia
The OECD's PISA 2025 results landed this month, with the UAE topping the Arab world in science, maths, and reading. That success comes alongside a shifting pupil population, as more families arrive from outside the country's traditional feeder markets. Schools are also adjusting to new rules on dress codes and social media use, while Ras Al Khaimah adds three private schools to meet growing demand.
The National: UAE schools attract families from new markets but British demand still strong
More than 1.27 million pupils returned to over 1,180 public and private schools across the UAE at the start of the 2026-27 academic year, with a further 26,700 new pupils registered in public schools. UAE schools are increasingly serving a global population, drawing families from Turkey, Spain, Singapore, Russia and the US, though British families remain the dominant source of demand, with roughly 240,000 UK nationals estimated to be living in Dubai alone.
Khaleej Times: UAE students top Arab rankings in PISA 2025 as scores rise in science, maths and reading
The UAE has emerged as the top-performing Arab country in the OECD's PISA 2025 assessment, with roughly 34,639 students across 1,070 schools improving their science score by 26 points to 458, mathematics by 21 points to 453, and reading by 15 points to 433. The UAE was one of only eight of the 91 participating countries and economies to post gains across all three areas at a time when international performance has generally declined.
AGBI: Pisa education tests produce mixed bag in Middle East
Saudi Arabia also improved its PISA 2025 maths and science scores, and was one of only a handful of countries worldwide to see its share of low performers fall while its share of top performers rose. The OECD's report found private schools significantly outperform government schools across the Gulf, and flagged exceptionally high levels of truancy as a challenge in Saudi Arabia, with 66 per cent of students reporting they had skipped at least one day of school in the fortnight before the test.
The National: UAE schools tighten dress-code rules to restrict hairstyles and make-up
UAE schools have tightened dress-code rules at the start of the academic year, restricting certain hairstyles alongside make-up, uniform and grooming standards, while also reinforcing nutrition policies. The Abu Dhabi Education Authority enforces a strict ban on caffeinated drinks, sugary drinks, confectionery and deep-fried items in schools, with one principal describing the approach as one of "education and partnership rather than embarrassment or confrontation."
The National: UAE schools prepare pupils for upcoming under-15s social media restrictions
Schools across the UAE are building a greater focus on online safety, screen time and digital well-being ahead of a new rule barring children under 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts. Educators say the shift goes beyond simply restricting platform access, with schools working alongside online-safety speakers and Dubai Police to help pupils build healthier digital habits.
Khaleej Times: Ras Al Khaimah opens 3 private schools to meet growing demand for education
Ras Al Khaimah has approved three new private schools for the 2026-27 academic year, adding around 3,000 student places in one of the emirate's largest single increases in private-school capacity. A board member of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge said the expansion reflects population growth, rising private-school enrolment and increasing investor interest in the emirate.