- ADEK launches third edition of Community Education Awards 2025/2026, inviting schools, nurseries, and educators across Abu Dhabi to participate.
- Awards recognise excellence and high-impact initiatives, with 21 categories and a total prize pool of Dh 7 million this year.
- Programme aims to inspire innovation and best practices, highlighting achievements that enhance school performance and overall educational quality.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced the launch of the third edition of the ADEK Community Education Awards for the 2025/2026 academic year, calling on schools, nurseries, and education professionals across the emirate to participate. ADEK described this year’s cycle as a distinctive edition that aims to highlight remarkable achievements and high-impact initiatives across both schools and early childhood education institutions in Abu Dhabi.
The department confirmed that the application window opened on October 30 and will remain open until February 28, giving participants ample time to submit their entries. The awards are designed to recognise excellence and transformative practices that enhance holistic school performance and contribute to the overall quality of education throughout the emirate.
According to ADEK, the awards carry particular significance for parents, as they showcase exemplary accomplishments across the education community, ranging from everyday classroom successes to large-scale, far-reaching initiatives. “These awards celebrate the positive impact of both individuals and educational programmes”, said a senior ADEK official. “They reinforce the central role of teaching and learning in achieving sustainable development while embedding a culture of continuous improvement across our schools and nurseries”.
The programme has expanded significantly since its inception, both in terms of award categories and participation. The number of categories has grown from 11 in the first edition to 16 in the second, and now 21 categories are open for recognition this year. Participation has similarly seen steady growth, with submissions rising from 288 entries in the inaugural edition to 515 in the current cycle, and ADEK anticipates additional entries before the nomination period closes.
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ADEK also highlighted the substantial support provided to participants through a total prize pool of Dh 7 million for this year’s awards. The prizes are distributed across all 21 categories, reflecting the department’s commitment to recognising and incentivising excellence across a wide spectrum of educational achievements. Eligible participants include public and private schools, education partnership schools, and nurseries across Abu Dhabi, ensuring broad representation from all segments of the education sector.
“The Community Education Awards are more than a recognition programme; they are a celebration of the dedication and innovation of educators who make a tangible difference in the lives of children”, said the ADEK spokesperson. “Through these awards, we aim to encourage schools and nurseries to continuously raise their standards, inspire others, and share best practices that benefit the wider educational community”.
With its focus on high-impact initiatives, innovative teaching methods, and overall school performance, the ADEK Community Education Awards continue to strengthen the culture of excellence in Abu Dhabi’s education sector. The department expressed confidence that this third edition would not only highlight outstanding achievements but also inspire educators and institutions to keep pushing boundaries in pursuit of holistic and transformative learning experiences.
