Photo Credit : Khaleej Times
The UAE has confirmed the academic calendar for public and private schools for the next three academic years, outlining start and end dates, mid-term breaks, and holiday schedules through 2029.
The schedule, issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE), applies to public schools and private schools following the national curriculum, with certain exceptions for specific emirates and alternative curricula.
Academic Year 2026–2027
The 2026–2027 academic year will begin on August 31, 2026, and conclude on July 2, 2027.
Key dates include:
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First semester mid-term break: October 12–18, 2026
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Classes resume: October 19, 2026
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Winter break: December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027
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Classes resume: January 4, 2027
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Spring break: April 5–11, 2027
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Classes resume: April 12, 2027
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Academic Year 2027–2028
For the 2027–2028 academic year, students will return to classrooms on August 30, 2027, with the school year ending on June 30, 2028.
Breaks are scheduled as follows:
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First semester mid-term break: October 11–17, 2027
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Classes resume: October 18, 2027
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Winter break: December 13, 2027 – January 2, 2028
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Classes resume: January 3, 2028
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Spring break: March 27 – April 2, 2028
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Classes resume: April 3, 2028
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Academic Year 2028–2029
The 2028–2029 academic year will commence on August 28, 2028, and end on June 29, 2029.
Scheduled breaks include:
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First semester mid-term break: October 16–22, 2028
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Classes resume: October 23, 2028
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Winter break: December 11, 2028 – January 1, 2029
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Classes resume: January 2, 2029
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Spring break: March 29 – April 1, 2029
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Classes resume: April 2, 2029
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Mid-Term Break Guidelines
The Ministry of Education stressed that all schools must adhere to the designated mid-term break during the first semester.
However, local education authorities may permit private schools that do not follow the MoE curriculum to divide the October break between October and February. In such cases:
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The total duration must not exceed five school days.
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Adjustments must align with operational requirements.
This flexibility applies to private schools across the UAE, except for schools in Sharjah, which will continue to operate under the emirate’s existing regulatory framework.
Attendance and Final Week of Term
Authorities have reiterated that all schools are required to follow the approved academic calendar in full. This includes:
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Conducting final assessments in the last week of each term.
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Completing curriculum requirements before the final school day.
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Ensuring student attendance until the official end of term.
An exception applies to students sitting for pre-scheduled international examinations.
Exemptions for Alternative Curricula
The newly announced calendar does not apply to private schools that follow alternative curricula, including:
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Indian
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Bangladeshi
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Pakistani
These schools will continue to operate based on their respective academic frameworks and regulatory approvals.
The three-year calendar is designed to provide clarity for families, educators, and school operators, enabling long-term academic planning and ensuring consistency across the country’s education sector.
