On August 20, 2026, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, officially honoured the winning schools of the inaugural 'My School… My Identity' art competition. The ceremony, organized by the UAE Ministry of Education, recognized ten public schools across the United Arab Emirates for their artistic achievements, with the top-ranked institution receiving a substantial cash prize of AED 100,000.
The 'My School… My Identity' competition was launched to foster artistic talent and celebrate national identity within the UAE's public education system. Its inaugural edition saw widespread participation, culminating in the selection of ten outstanding schools that demonstrated exceptional creativity and engagement with the competition's themes.
The Ministry of Education distributed significant cash prizes to acknowledge the efforts and excellence of the participating schools. The first-place winner was awarded AED 100,000, a considerable sum intended to support educational and artistic initiatives within the school. Following this, the second-place recipient received AED 70,000, while the third-place school was granted AED 50,000. An additional seven schools, ranking from fourth to tenth place, were each presented with AED 25,000, ensuring broad recognition for a range of contributions.
Among the distinguished institutions honoured at the event were Zayed Educational Complex in the Awafi area of Ras Al Khaimah, Al Fujairah Girls School For Cycle2, and Al Fayhaa Kindergarten Al Bateen located in Abu Dhabi. Other schools recognized for their achievements included Zayed Educational Complex in the Al Suyoh area in Sharjah, Al Sumou School in Al Ain, Al Shaheed Tariq Al Shehhi Kindergarten in the Shaam area in Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Marfa Girls School in Mirfa in the Al Dhafra Region. Mohammed Noor Boys School Cycle 2 in the Rashidiya area in Dubai, Al Jahili Girls School in Al Ain, and Al Hudaiba Girls School Cycle 3 in the Al Hudaiba area in Ras Al Khaimah also received accolades, highlighting the geographic diversity of talent across the UAE.
The ceremony underscored the UAE Ministry of Education's commitment to promoting art and culture as integral components of the curriculum. By recognizing these schools and providing significant financial incentives, the competition aims to encourage continued excellence in creative expression and reinforce a sense of national pride among students and educators alike. The event serves as a testament to the vibrant artistic landscape within the country's educational institutions.