Cultural Diversity and Education: Exploring the Landscape of Culturally Responsive Education in the UAE

Published date: Jan 28 2026

Journal Title: Gulf Education and Social Policy Review

Issue title: Gulf Education and Social Policy Review (GESPR): Volume 6, Issue 3

Pages: 450 - 465

DOI: 10.18502/gespr.v6i3.19232

Salma Walysgwaly@sea.ac.aeSharjah Education Academy, Sharjah

The goal of this paper is to examine how Culturally Responsive Education (CRE) can be used as a framework for promoting equity and inclusion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Given its position as a global hub attracting expatriates from around the world, it is important to address the needs of diverse students in schools across the country. By systematically examining local and global research on CRE, the paper focuses on four major themes: teacher education, leadership preparation, multilingualism, and educational resources. The paper then discusses some gaps in how CRE is implemented in the UAE with the goal of informing policy in the areas of professional training and curriculum design. The paper concludes with several recommendations for implementing the principles of CRE in the country, taking into account the UAE’s Vision 2031 and Centennial 2071. These recommendations include the introduction of a national framework that integrates CRE principles into teacher education, multilingual education, and leadership training. The study advocates the use of CRE in UAE schools as an approach that can foster cultural and national identity while also preparing globally competent citizens.

Keywords: Culturally responsive education, UAE, Diversity, Inclusion, Teacher training, Multilingualism, Educational leadership

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