Ras Al Khaimah’s Education System: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
As the new academic year begins, Ras Al Khaimah’s education system stands as a model of diversity and inclusion. The latest batch of graduates reflects the emirate’s multicultural makeup, with students from various backgrounds and nationalities learning together in the northernmost part of the United Arab Emirates.
The diversity is no accident but an integral part of the approach to education. The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge oversees 35 private schools, catering to a student body where expatriates outnumber Emiratis by three to one. This backdrop makes the theme of the 2025 Festival of Learning, “Together We Thrive,” especially fitting.
Festival of Learning: Celebrating Innovation
The Festival of Learning showcased 89 projects from private schools across the emirate, highlighting initiatives in five key areas: inclusion, compliance, wellbeing, learning environment, and innovation. The event focused on fostering collaboration, with school principals discussing the ongoing changes in their institutions. Parents also played an essential role, contributing to policy development.
One notable example of student-led innovation was the cultural awareness week, where a group of students voluntarily launched a programme celebrating the varied backgrounds of their peers. These grassroots initiatives demonstrate the Department of Knowledge’s commitment not only to academic excellence but also to creating inclusive learning environments.
A Global Perspective on Inclusion
The efforts in Ras Al Khaimah reflect a growing global trend in education systems striving to be more agile, equitable, and inclusive. The emirate’s quiet but significant strides in inclusion demonstrate how smaller jurisdictions can lead in areas such as diversity and inclusion.
Building on this momentum, the Department of Knowledge developed the new Inclusive Education Policy, crafted in consultation with local educators and school principals. This policy aims to eliminate barriers that hinder equal access to opportunities, encouraging shared responsibility for inclusion across schools. Inclusion, the policy asserts, should not be the responsibility of just one teacher or administrator, but of the entire school community.
This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader vision for education, as outlined in UAE Vision 2031 and Centennial 2071, which call for high-quality, inclusive education for all students, regardless of gender, background, or ability. Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to these goals was evident at the 19th annual RAK Awards for Educational Excellence. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, education was celebrated as “the strength and character of our nation” and “the path to opportunity.”
International Recognition and Local Action
Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to education has earned global recognition. In 2022, the emirate became a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, joining a select group of cities worldwide dedicated to lifelong learning, inclusion, and innovation. This recognition ties Ras Al Khaimah’s local actions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (inclusive and equitable quality education for all) and SDG 11 (inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities).
Ras Al Khaimah’s educational progress is not limited to its schools. The newly introduced Golden Visa programme for educators acknowledges the central role teachers and school leaders play in shaping the future. By offering long-term residency, the programme encourages educators to establish permanent roots in the emirate and continue their vital work.
Beyond Education: A Broader Commitment to Inclusion
The drive for inclusion in Ras Al Khaimah goes beyond the classroom. The emirate is also creating opportunities for women, girls, and people of determination. Programmes like the Women in Strength and Empowerment (WISE) Network support women in the workforce, helping shape the future of the emirate’s economy and society.
The RAK Club for People of Determination offers a supportive environment for people with special needs, helping them develop their talents through sports and community activities. Earlier this year, Abdulla Al Nuaimi, a member of the club, made history by winning the UAE’s first gold medal at the Special Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy – a groundbreaking achievement for the MENA region.
A Model for Inclusive Education
While Ras Al Khaimah may seem like a small player in the global education scene, its efforts reflect what inclusive education can achieve in a diverse, fast-changing world. At a time when many systems are struggling to adapt to diversity, Ras Al Khaimah stands out as a place where inclusion is deeply ingrained, and diversity is seen as a strength.
The emirate’s ongoing efforts prove that even in a small jurisdiction, meaningful progress towards inclusive education can be made, benefiting not just the students but the entire community. As Ras Al Khaimah continues to build on its achievements, it demonstrates the power of inclusive education in shaping a more equitable future for all.
For further insights into innovative initiatives across the UAE, see Rostro Group: Shaping the future of finance, from the UAE to the world and HOT Systems to showcase purpose-built hardware powered by PNY at GITEX Global 2025.
