Public Policy Document

The National Policy for Reading 2026 was issued as part of the Year of Reading framework. The policy aims to achieve the national strategic vision for reading by making reading a way of life in the UAE, preserving the country's cultural, intellectual, and knowledge achievements, and building an exemplary model to be emulated. The National Reading Policy includes changes in educational systems, curricula, school assessments, and higher education systems to instill reading in the community. Moreover, March has been designated as the official Reading Month each year, as part of the initiatives of the UAE’s National Policy for Reading.

1. Upgrade academic and evaluation systems to fully support reading.
2. Establish necessary systems and infrastructure to support reading in the long run. 
3. Strengthen the role of family and society in improving reading habits. 
4. Provide a reading-friendly environment at work.
5. Leverage the media role in supporting reading.
6. Enrich reading content in the UAE.

1. Enact a legislation to promote reading: 
   • The legislation aims to support the development of human capital and consolidate the habit and culture of reading among community members, promote lifelong learning, boost local intellectual content production, and build knowledge societies through ensuring the continuity of government entities' efforts to foster reading initiatives, competitions, and events in the country and defining their respective responsibilities in the area.
2. Develop the UAE’s strategic plan for reading: 
   • Enhance literacy skills in the community, encourage the population to practice reading daily, to make reading part of their lifestyle by 2026.
3. Establish the National Fund for Reading: 
   • With a funding pool of AED100 million, the Fund will financially support non-governmental organizations and volunteering centers reading initiatives and events across the UAE until 2026.
4. Improve educational programs: 
   • New measures will be introduced to school and university programs to encourage reading.
5. Develop healthcare programs:
   • Enhance children’s cognitive abilities and preserve those abilities within the elderly.
6. Develop a media program: 
   • Develop media policies that celebrate reading in media contents.
7. Develop a content creation program: 
   • Develop a national plan supporting reading-friendly content for youth and children.

1. Establish reading as a way of life in the UAE community.
2. Develop children’s mental potential and capacities.
3. Preserve the elderly’s mental abilities.
4. 50% of adult Emirati nationals have a reading habit.
5. 80% of school students have a reading habit.
6. Each student voluntarily reads an average of 20 books. 
7. 50% of Emirati parents read to their children. 
    

Community members, students, and employees.