In a move that could reshape international schooling for Indian students abroad, India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to roll out its new Global Curriculum from April 2026 across schools in the UAE and other countries.

The announcement came during the CBSE Sahodaya conference held in Dubai this week, attended by over 800 school leaders and education officials from across the Gulf region.

While CBSE had previously launched the CBSE International (CBSE-i) curriculum back in 2010, the initiative was later discontinued. Now, the board is re-entering the global education scene with a freshly designed international framework that promises to blend India’s education priorities with global learning benchmarks.

The CBSE Global Curriculum aims to offer a globally aligned yet adaptable syllabus, creating a strong alternative to existing international boards like the IB and Cambridge.

Education regulators from the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar have welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to enhance teacher training, vocational education, and curriculum innovation.

There are currently 106 CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE, making it the largest CBSE network outside India.

Education regulators across the GCC welcomed the initiative and agreed to explore collaboration on curriculum contextualisation, teacher training, and vocational and technical education.

They also discussed teacher qualification standards, equivalence benchmarks, and international recognition of CBSE certificates.

According to a press release, regulators praised CBSE’s efforts to maintain a balance between academic excellence and affordability, and expressed full support for the Global Curriculum. They also commended CBSE schools in the Gulf region for their strong record of compliance, quality, and student performance.

Dubai Municipality has introduced a new planning standard for early childhood centres, aiming to enhance educational facilities, optimise land use, and support the growing needs of the early education sector. The move is part of the emirate’s broader strategy under the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 to create sustainable, high-quality urban spaces that benefit future generations.

Key Highlights of the New Planning Standard:

• New Floor Allowance: Centres can now build a first floor exclusively for administrative and service use.
• Building Coverage: Centres are permitted a building coverage ratio of up to 45%.
• Parking & Plot Requirements:
  • 1 parking space per classroom
  • 1 space per 50 sqm of office area
  • 1 dedicated bus space for every 3 classrooms
  • Minimum 3m setback on all sides
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Standard developed in coordination with KHDA and the Knowledge Fund, based on an extensive study assessing sector needs.
• Objectives:
  • Optimise land use and increase centre capacity
  • Enhance service levels without additional financial burden on investors
  • Provide modern, safe, and effective learning environments for children

Eng. Nasser BuShehab, CEO of the Planning and Governance Sector at Dubai Municipality, said: “This initiative supports the sector’s growing needs, provides modern learning environments for children, and strengthens Dubai’s position as a global city renowned for quality of life and liveability.”

Eng. Sanaa Al Alili, Director of the Urban Planning Department at Dubai Municipality, added: “By allowing additional floor space, the new standard improves urban flexibility, optimises land use, increases capacity, and elevates service levels without additional fees.”

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has permanently closed a training centre in the UAE after discovering a series of serious violations, including running an unlicensed nursery and promoting unaccredited educational programmes. Authorities said the facility operated illegally, putting students and young children at risk.

The crackdown followed thorough inspections that revealed multiple offences, from operating without proper educational licences to employing unqualified staff. The centre also failed to meet safety standards, according to the Ministry.

“This action underscores our zero-tolerance approach to unlicensed educational operators,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Parents and students must verify an institution’s legitimacy before enrolling to protect themselves and their children.”

Illegal Operations Uncovered

Investigators found that the centre:

• Operated without mandatory licences
• Ran unaccredited courses with no official recognition
• Maintained an unlicensed nursery
• Employed unqualified teachers and trainers
• Violated basic safety regulations

Legal Action Taken

The Ministry has permanently shut the centre, referred its administrators to the Public Prosecution, imposed financial penalties, and blocked its online platforms to prevent further enrolment. Social media accounts promoting the centre’s fake programmes have also been flagged.

A Warning to Parents

Authorities emphasised that unlicensed operators often use professional-looking websites, social media ads, or fabricated reviews to appear legitimate. Parents are urged to check official licences, programme accreditation, and staff qualifications before paying fees or signing contracts.

Red flags include unusually low fees, pressure to enrol immediately, vague answers about accreditation, and absence of a verifiable physical campus.

How to Verify Institutions

• Ministry Website: Check the database of licensed institutions and accredited programmes.
• Customer Happiness Centre: Call 800511 to confirm licence status, programme recognition, and any complaints.

Enrolling in unlicensed institutions can result in invalid certificates, wasted fees, and career setbacks, the Ministry said.

“Legitimate institutions welcome verification. If an operator hesitates or provides vague responses, it’s a major red flag,” the statement added.

Parents and students are reminded: take two minutes to verify licences before enrolling. It could save years of wasted time and thousands of dirhams.