Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates Secondary Schools: A Policy Practice Analysis

The integration of sustainability in education has gained global attention as a critical component of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), significant efforts have been made to incorporate sustainability into national policies, reflecting the country’s vision for sustainable economic, social and environmental development. Within the context of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), this research aims to investigate the alignment between national sustainability policies and their practical implementation in secondary schools, with a focus on identifying barriers and proposing actionable recommendations to enhance the integration of sustainability into education. This study employs a qualitative case study design with content analysis of data gathered from interviews and focus groups collected from a total of 21 teachers, school leaders, heads of departments and government officials, alongside the review of 14 relevant key policy documents. Key findings include a gap between policy and implementation, lack of a unified framework, resource disparities, and several barriers and strengths. This research concludes with recommendations to address these challenges, so that the UAE can strengthen its position as a leader in sustainability education, further aligning its national vision with global SDGs.