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Dubai Academic Calendar 2025: Key Dates and Term Structure
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has officially released the academic calendar for Dubai private schools for the 2025–26 academic year. With schools set to reopen on 25 August 2025, the calendar outlines essential term dates, holiday breaks, and curriculum-specific end-of-year timelines. Designed to ensure a minimum of 182 instructional days, the calendar helps parents, educators, and school leaders across Dubai plan ahead with clarity and confidence.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Start of Academic Year | Monday, 25 August 2025 | Applies to all private schools that begin in August |
| Winter Break | Monday, 15 December 2025 | Three-week holiday |
| Return from Winter Break | Monday, 5 January 2026 | All schools resume |
| Spring Break | Monday, 23 March 2026 | Applies to most curricula |
| Return from Spring Break | Sunday, 6 April 2026 | Most international curriculum schools resume |
| Sunday, 13 April 2026 | MoE curriculum schools resume a week later | |
| End of Academic Year | Friday, 26 June 2026 (International) Tuesday, 31 March 2026 (Indian) | End date depends on curriculum followed |
| Minimum Instruction Days | 182 school days | Mandated by KHDA for all private schools |
KHDA Policy Updates & School Oversight
Inspections paused
- KHDA will pause full inspections in 2025–26 (except for third-year schools), shifting to targeted visits and self-evaluation.
- Schools must still complete KHDA self-evaluation forms (SEFs) and ongoing performance monitoring via assessment.
Staff development & compliance
- Though inspections are paused, ongoing professional development and compliance checks remain mandatory
✅ Planning tips for parents & schools
- Mark key dates: summer begins late June, autumn term starts late Aug; account for long winter and spring breaks.
- Adjust Indian curriculum schedules: Indian curriculum ends early (31 March).
- Coordinate holidays: ensure consistency with MoE vs. international term dates.
- Prepare for limited inspections: expect targeted quality visits, review SEFs & benchmark results.
- Budget with context: KHDA’s pause on inspections may affect fee rises (ECI-based)