The Ministry of Education (MoE) has rolled out a unified school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year, covering all public and private schools nationwide. The aim? Equal planning ease and better balance across the year.
Unified Academic Timeline (2025–2026)
- Start of school year: Monday, 25 August 2025
- Term 1 ends / Winter break: 8 December 2025 – 4 January 2026; classes resume 5 January
- Term 2 ends / Spring break: 16-29 March 2026; return to school on 30 March
- Exception: Private schools in Sharjah resume on 23 March
- Academic year ends: Thursday, 3 July 2026 (Friday for standard schools)
- Exception: Sharjah private schools end on 2 July
Mid term breaks have been added for schools following the government curriculum:
- 13–19 October 2025 (Term 1)
- 11–15 February 2026 (Term 2)
- 25–31 May 2026 (Term 3, aligning with Eid Al-Adha)
Private schools on other curricula can schedule up to two mid-term breaks (October & February), each ≤ 5 days, within those months only.
Minimum school days required: 182 across all schools.
Why This Matters for Families & Schools
For the first time, families across different emirates and school systems can align holidays and annual planning. The balanced breaks also accommodate student well-being, giving rest in between intensive learning blocks.
The KHDA (Dubai’s education regulator) confirms that all private schools must respect the MoE dates and ensure the minimum instructional days are met.
Calendar Overview (Schools Starting 25 Aug)
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Year Start | 25 August 2025 | MoE unified date |
| Winter Break | 8 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 | Resume 5 Jan |
| Spring Break | 16 Mar – 29 Mar 2026 | Resume 30 Mar (23 Mar for Sharjah private schools) |
| Academic Year Ends | 3 July 2026 | 2 July for Sharjah private schools |
| Mid-Term Breaks (MoE curriculum) | Oct 13–19, 2025; Feb 11–15, 2026; May 25–31, 2026 | Additional rest breaks offered |
| Alt. Curricula Mid-Term Only | Oct & Feb (max 5 days each) | Flexibility within months |
What Every Parent Should Do
- Check your school’s curriculum: The mid-term breaks depend on whether its MoE-aligned or following an international curriculum.
- Plan travel and events early: Especially around winter (Dec-Jan) and spring (Mar), when everyone’s on break.
- Wait for holiday confirmations: Public holidays (Eid, National Day) will be confirmed later—keep an eye on your school’s circular.
- Ensure attendance till closing week: MoE mandates schools hold assessments or complete syllabus until the final day of each term.
Final Thoughts
The 2025–2026 school calendar is a big step toward synchronizing education across the UAE, supporting students with regular breaks and giving families a smoother planning experience. Let me know if you’d like this formatted as a blog post, newsletter snippet, or in another style.
