No homework for 10 years: What UAE private schools have learnt about children's progress

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UAE educators share the academic outcomes and challenges of cutting back on assignments Add as a preferred source on Google As the UAE removes traditional homework for younger…

UAE educators share the academic outcomes and challenges of cutting back on assignments

Dubai: Can children perform better academically without spending their evenings completing homework?

In August, UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) eliminated traditional homework for pupils from Kindergarten to Grade 2, effective from the 2026–27 academic year. The policy applies to public schools and private schools operating under the ministry's curriculum.

For some UAE private schools, this is not new - they have spent years reducing or eliminating traditional homework for younger pupils.

Research by the UK's Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) in 2021 suggested that homework has a positive impact and greater benefits for secondary school pupils than those in primary education. The research also found that the quality of assignments matters more than the quantity.

However, educators say the debate is not simply about whether homework is beneficial or harmful. The more important questions are when it should be introduced, how much is appropriate and whether assignments genuinely improve learning.

At Arcadia British School in Dubai, a no-homework policy has been in place for primary pupils since the school opened in 2016. Giles Pruett, Executive Principal at Arcadia British School, said the approach has coincided with improvements in academic attainment, although other factors have also contributed.

“Since then, academic attainment and progress have continued to improve, with approximately 80% of primary students now making better-than-expected progress in English, Mathematics and Science. While our no-homework approach supports this success, improvements in teaching quality, assessment and the monitoring of student progress have also played a significant role.”

Pruett explained that removing homework during the primary years gives children more time with their families, opportunities to participate in sports and outdoor activities, and less academic pressure during their formative years.

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