A new independent evaluation in Ras Al Khaimah has found that an early Arabic literacy programme known as IQRA has helped young learners achieve reading gains equivalent to an additional 25 per cent of a school year. Developed by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation, the programme is designed to strengthen foundational Arabic reading skills in the early years of schooling. Following the findings, it will be rolled out across private schools in Ras Al Khaimah from September 2026, reaching children from KG1 through Grade 1.
The results come from a large-scale randomised controlled trial conducted by J-PAL MENA, part of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, during the 2024–2025 academic year. The study covered 83 classrooms across 26 schools, making it one of the most extensive examinations of early Arabic literacy conducted in the UAE.
Addressing a Long-Standing Challenge in Arabic Learning
Researchers found that students participating in IQRA demonstrated statistically significant improvements across multiple literacy measures, including letter recognition, word reading, non-word decoding, and oral reading fluency. Word reading recorded the strongest gains, with students moving from the 50th to the 58th percentile, while overall literacy performance improved from the 50th to the 54th percentile.
The programme was designed to address a long-standing challenge in Arabic education: the gap between everyday spoken Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic used in schools. By breaking reading instruction into structured, sequential stages, IQRA helps children navigate new vocabulary, sentence structures, and written language more effectively.
Developed in collaboration with cognitive psychologist Helen Abadzi, IQRA is grounded in evidence-based approaches to reading instruction, focusing on phonics, decoding, and fluency before comprehension. Importantly, the programme does not require additional school hours or expensive technology and can be delivered within regular classroom schedules following only a few days of teacher training.
Commenting on the findings, Natasha Ridge, Executive Director of the Al Qasimi Foundation, said,
“For too long, weak Arabic reading outcomes have not been adequately addressed and treated as though the language itself is the problem. IQRA shows that this is not the case.”
Ridge noted that the significance of the results lies in the programme’s rigorous independent evaluation, which demonstrates that evidence-based teaching methods can improve Arabic literacy for both native and non-native speakers. She added that IQRA offers a practical and scalable model that could benefit education systems across the region.
The evaluation also found that the programme changed classroom practices in ways that translated directly into student learning gains. Researchers observed measurable improvements across key literacy indicators, including letter identification, word reading, and reading fluency.
Nayera Adly Husseiny, Lead of Egypt Impact Lab at J-PAL MENA, said,
“The evaluation shows that IQRA changed classroom practice and translated into measurable improvements in student learning. How children are taught can make a significant difference.”
Designed for Everyday Classroom Use
One of IQRA’s strengths is its ease of implementation. In 21 of the 26 participating schools, the programme was delivered entirely within normal classroom hours, avoiding additional pressure on timetables. Lessons use sequenced instruction, large-font workbooks, and guided reading techniques such as echo reading, paired reading, and choral reading to build fluency and confidence.
The programme has also been tested in Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan, where early evidence suggests it may help older students who continue to struggle with reading.
Hanadi Mohammed, Education and Community Development Manager at the Al Qasimi Foundation, highlighted the importance of structured teaching methods in helping children master Arabic reading skills.
“Arabic is not a difficult language if it is taught in the right way. IQRA gives teachers a clear, structured approach that helps children focus first on the essential skills of reading.”
Mohammed added that the programme supports both native and non-native Arabic speakers by building fluency step by step, helping students approach Arabic with confidence and develop strong literacy foundations from an early age.
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