School Learning Culture in Emirati Public Schools: Influencing Factors, Leadership Roles, and Pathways Forward

The UAE considers education key to social and economic development, driving reforms based on Western models that emphasize economic growth but rely on top-down approaches. These reforms often disregard school culture and context essential for improvement. This qualitative study explores factors influencing school learning culture and examines school leaders’ roles in shaping it within Emirati public schools through interviews with 25 teachers and leaders. Findings reveal that centralization and bureaucratic accountability constrain leadership practices, limiting efforts to sustain effective learning cultures. The study identifies strategies to foster productive school cultures, addressing gaps in research on leadership’s role in Emirati schools.