The Ministry of Education has confirmed a new academic calendar for all public and private schools across the UAE, set to take effect from the 2025–2026 school year. The unified schedule, endorsed by the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council (EHCD), standardises start dates, term breaks, and the end of the academic year for every emirate.
According to the announcement, students will return to school on Monday, 25 August 2025, following a long summer holiday. Teaching staff and administrators will report back a week earlier, on Monday, 18 August 2025.
How the 2025–2026 School Year Will Run
The announcement applies to schools operating under the Ministry of Education curriculum, including most public schools and a selection of private institutions. International schools that follow alternative frameworks — such as British, IB, American, or Indian programmes — may see slight variations in their academic schedules and are advised to confirm their term dates through the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai or the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
Under the new structure, the first term will conclude with an extended four-week winter break, running from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, with students returning on 5 January 2026. The second term will take place from 5 January to 15 March 2026, followed by a two-week spring break from 16 to 29 March 2026. Most schools will resume on 30 March 2026, although private schools in Sharjah will reopen earlier, on 23 March 2026. The third and final term will then run from 30 March until 3 July 2026, with Sharjah-based private schools ending one day earlier, on 2 July 2026.
The advance release of the unified calendar is designed to give parents and students ample time to plan holidays, travel, and childcare, while ensuring consistent instructional time across the country.
Key Dates for the 2025–2026 UAE School Calendar
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Return | 18 August 2025 | Teachers and administrators resume before students |
| Student Return / Start of Academic Year | 25 August 2025 | Applies to all public and private schools |
| First Term Mid-Term Break | 13–19 October 2025 | Schools resume on 20 October 2025 |
| End of First Term / Winter Break | 8 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 | Four-week winter holiday; schools reopen 5 January 2026 |
| Second Term | 5 January – 15 March 2026 | Followed by a two-week spring break |
| Second Term Mid-Term Break | 11–15 February 2026 | Schools resume on 16 February 2026 |
| Spring Break | 16–29 March 2026 | Schools resume 30 March 2026 (23 March for private schools in Sharjah) |
| Third Term | 30 March – 3 July 2026 | Ends 2 July 2026 for private schools in Sharjah |
| Third Term Mid-Term Break | 25–31 May 2026 | Aligned with Eid Al Adha; schools resume on 1 June 2026 |
| End of Academic Year | 3 July 2026 | All public and private schools; curriculum completion and final exams included |
Flexibility for Private Schools
Private schools that operate non-government curricula will be permitted to schedule additional five-day mid-term breaks in October and February. These breaks cannot exceed five consecutive days and must remain within the designated months to ensure alignment with the national framework.The Ministry has reiterated that all schools must conduct final assessments or complete teaching requirements during the last week of each term, ensuring student attendance until the final day. Only students undertaking externally scheduled international examinations may be exempt.What This Means for Parents and StudentsFor the first time, all schools across the UAE will follow a synchronised academic structure, reducing confusion over term timings between emirates and curriculum types. The extended winter break, the alignment of spring holidays, and clearly defined mid-term breaks provide more predictable opportunities for families to plan travel and activities.
For more information and updated from the Ministry of Education, click on the website below: