A successful early literacy initiative called IQRA is set to expand across all private schools in Ras Al Khaimah starting in September 2026. Designed by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation, the programme aims to bridge the gap between everyday spoken Arabic and the formal Modern Standard Arabic taught in classrooms. By focusing on structured, step-by-step phonics and decoding skills, IQRA helps young learners from KG1 to Grade 1 gain confidence and fluency. The initiative was recently validated by a rigorous study from J-PAL MENA, which found that students using the method achieved reading gains equivalent to an additional 25% of a school year.

What makes IQRA particularly effective is its accessibility and practicality for busy educators. Unlike many educational interventions that require extra hours or costly technology, this programme integrates seamlessly into existing school schedules with minimal teacher training. By emphasizing how children naturally acquire language—prioritizing fluency and letter recognition before comprehension—the model has proven successful for both native and non-native speakers. With its proven track record in the UAE and beyond, the Al Qasimi Foundation hopes this evidence-based approach will serve as a scalable solution to strengthen Arabic literacy standards across the wider region.