How KUMON is strengthening learning in Abu Dhabi schools

Since its launch in Abu Dhabi in 1998 as a pilot project in partnership with JODCO* (now INPEX/JODCO), the KUMON programme has grown into one of the emirate’s longest-running education initiatives. Supported today by ADNOC as well, the project forms a three-party collaboration that reaches around 6,000 students every year and has benefited more than 30,000 learners to date. Positioned as part of broader CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts, the initiative is designed to raise academic outcomes and strengthen learning habits across participating schools.

A Digital Ecosystem Designed to Improve Learning

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One of the defining elements of the Abu Dhabi model is its use of KUMON Connect, the organisation’s digital learning platform. Lessons take place using iPads and stylus pens, allowing students to write answers by hand while receiving instant feedback from the system. This immediate correction cycle helps students understand mistakes on the spot and complete more effective learning loops within a single class period.

Teachers have noted noticeable changes since the digital system was introduced. Students are able to stay focused for longer periods, and many have begun handling multi-step calculations mentally with greater confidence. These improvements are reflected in data as well, with MAP Growth scores exceeding the District Norm by eight points**.

KUMON Connect was first tested in Abu Dhabi during the COVID-19 pandemic as a rapid-response solution when in-person worksheets were not possible. That experiment became a world-first for the organisation, eventually shaping a global rollout that now supports approximately 300,000 students worldwide.

A People-Centred Learning Model

While technology plays an important role, the success of the program ultimately depends on the people driving it. School leaders oversee implementation; homeroom teachers observe student progress daily; classroom assistants help maintain smooth class operations; parents encourage consistent learning at home; and KUMON staff work closely with schools through regular visits, providing hands-on classroom support.

This collaborative structure is reinforced by regular data reviews that bring all parties together. By examining learning volume, accuracy patterns, concentration, and individual progress, teachers are able to identify exactly where each student needs support. These insights translate directly into classroom adjustments, helping students advance with confidence.

Preparing Students for a Future of Independent Learning

As education systems worldwide shift from knowledge acquisition to building lifelong learning skills, the KUMON Method offers an approach well aligned with this transition. The program is built around self-learning — the idea that students can make discoveries, solve problems, and develop new abilities through their own effort. In an age where digital tools and AI will continue to shape how children learn, the ability to think independently and form one’s own questions becomes even more important.

Looking ahead, KUMON plans to deepen its collaboration with ADNOC and INPEX/JODCO, with the shared goal of extending learning opportunities to more schools across the emirate. By strengthening academic foundations and helping students develop the confidence to learn on their own, the project aims to support the next generation of young people who will contribute to the UAE’s future on a global stage.

For more information, please visit: @kumonabudhabi

Footnotes

*The partnership originally began with JODCO (Japan Oil Development Company). It has since transitioned to collaboration with its parent company INPEX and the INPEX JODCO Foundation.

** The MAP Test is a standardized assessment aligned with the American Curriculum.