UAE Schools Enter Busy Final Weeks Before Summer Break

As the academic year draws to a close, UAE schools are entering one of their busiest periods. Students across the country are completing assessments, taking part in enrichment activities, preparing for the next stage of learning and celebrating end-of-year milestones.

For many families, the final weeks of term can feel particularly intense. However, school leaders say the increased activity is largely the result of fitting key academic and extracurricular commitments into a shorter timeframe following periods of distance learning earlier in the year.

UAE Schools Focus on Smooth Student Transitions

Several schools have strengthened their end-of-year programmes to help students prepare for the next academic stage.

At some institutions, older students are already beginning advanced coursework shortly after completing major examinations. School leaders say this approach helps learners build confidence and maintain momentum ahead of the new academic year. Hussaina Begum Noor Sherieff, Principal of The Bloomington Academy, a North Point Education Group school said,

“We intentionally intensify this period by conducting robust transition classes for all students from KG through to Grade 12.”

She explained that once Cambridge portfolio submissions for Grades 10 to 12 were completed, the school launched AS and A-Level preparatory classes to provide students with an early start.

Alongside academic preparation, students in Grades 9 to 12 are also receiving one-to-one career counselling and internship opportunities.

Sherieff added,

“Once these exams and GL assessments are finalised, we have scheduled two full weeks of regular instructional classes running until July 3, 2026. Compared to previous years, we are putting much greater strategic emphasis on this final month.”

According to Sherieff, extending learning opportunities until the end of term allows teachers to address remaining gaps and support a smoother transition into the next academic year.

UAE Schools Balance Academic Progress and Student Wellbeing

While some parents have questioned whether periods of online learning have led to increased academic pressure, educators say student wellbeing remains a priority.

Jan Steel, Principal and CEO of GEMS Royal Dubai School, believes students may simply feel busier because several activities are taking place simultaneously.

“I would not say there is a greater emphasis on learning and assessments than in previous years, but there has certainly been a more concentrated timeline following the period of distance learning,” she said.

As a result, students are completing assessments while also participating in enrichment opportunities and end-of-year celebrations.

Steel emphasised that schools have continued to provide personalised support throughout the year.

“Since returning to face-to-face learning, our teachers have continued to use regular assessment and personalised support to identify and address individual needs, which is part of our everyday practice.”

Furthermore, she stressed that schools are not attempting to recover lost learning in the final weeks of term. Instead, the focus is on ensuring students feel confident and well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Careful Planning Helps Schools Maintain Continuity

School leaders say extensive planning has helped minimise disruption and ensure learning remains on track.

Shiny Davison, Principal of Woodlem Park School Hamidiya, said the transition to distance learning was incorporated into planning long before the final weeks of term. She said,

“As a CBSE institution, our academic calendar, assessments, and curriculum delivery are planned well in advance in the month of March when the online classes already began.”

According to Davison, schools made adjustments early to maintain continuity while reducing unnecessary pressure on students and families. She added that any learning gaps were identified early and addressed through targeted support programmes.

“Student wellbeing remains at the heart of every decision we make. Through regular communication with parents, teachers, and senior students, we continuously monitor learning progress and address any concerns proactively,”

This proactive approach has allowed schools to maintain academic progress while continuing to prioritise student wellbeing.

Learning Continues Until the Last Day of Term

Despite the celebrations that often accompany the end of the school year, educators say learning remains a priority until the final day.

At GEMS Royal Dubai School, Steel described the final weeks as an opportunity to maintain momentum while recognising student achievements. She said,

“Our focus remains on delivering a high-quality learning experience right up to the final day of term. While there are opportunities for reflection, consolidation, and preparing students for their next stage of learning, it is very much business as usual.”

For parents and students, the final stretch of the academic year may feel particularly busy. However, educators across the UAE say the combination of assessments, transition programmes, enrichment activities and celebrations is designed to ensure students finish the year feeling prepared, supported and ready for what comes next.

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