UAE public schools set to resume after mid-term break as private schools follow varied calendars
Public school resumption and assessment focus
Thousands of students across the UAE will return to classrooms on Monday, October 19, following the first‑term mid‑term break, as public and private schools that observed the holiday resume lessons and turn their attention to academic assessments and preparations for the remainder of the term. The return marks the end of a week‑long break that began on October 12 under the academic calendar for 2026‑2027.
With students back in class, schools will identify learning gaps, review assessment results and provide additional support to pupils who have fallen behind. They will also monitor attendance, evaluate the effectiveness of academic support and keep parents informed about their children’s progress. Identifying pupils who need extra help, providing targeted interventions and measuring improvements will be priorities as the first term moves towards its final assessments. Clear communication with families will be important, especially when explaining assessment results and the steps needed to improve academic performance.
Private school calendar variations
Reopening dates may differ among private schools that follow other curricula, depending on their approved academic calendars and the requirements of the relevant local education authorities. The Ministry of Education’s calendar sets out the school year for public schools and private institutions that follow its curriculum, while allowing flexibility for other private schools. Local education authorities may approve exceptions for private schools operating other curricula, permitting them to split the mid‑term break between October and February according to operational needs, provided the total break does not exceed five school days. Private schools in Sharjah are subject to separate regulatory arrangements. Parents whose children attend schools following international or other non‑ministry curricula should therefore check their school’s approved calendar to confirm the return date.
Upcoming holidays and multi‑year outlook
Under the approved 2026‑2027 academic calendar, the next major break will be the winter holiday beginning on December 14, 2026, with students returning to school on Monday, January 4, 2027 after the holiday ends on January 3. The spring break will run from April 5 to April 11, 2027, with classes resuming on April 12. The final school day of the academic year is scheduled for July 2, 2027. The current school year began on August 31, 2026.
The Ministry of Education has also announced the academic calendar for the following two years, giving schools and families greater certainty when planning holidays and other commitments. The 2027‑2028 academic year will begin on August 30, 2027. The first‑term mid‑term break will run from October 11 to 17, with students returning on October 18. The winter holiday will begin on December 13, 2027 and end on January 2, 2028, with classes resuming on January 3. Spring break will take place from March 27 to April 2, 2028, followed by a return to classrooms on April 3. The academic year will end on June 30, 2028.
The following academic year will begin on August 28, 2028. The first mid‑term break is scheduled from October 16 to 22, with classes resuming on October 23. The winter holiday will run from December 11, 2028 to January 1, 2029, followed by the return of students on January 2. Spring break is scheduled for late March and the beginning of April, with students returning on April 2, 2029. The final day of the academic year will be June 29, 2029.
The Ministry of Education introduced the three‑year academic calendar to provide a more predictable schedule for schools, teachers, students and parents. The framework establishes the beginning and end of each school year, major holidays and assessment periods, supporting advance planning and continuity in education. It is also intended to balance classroom instruction with scheduled breaks, giving schools a consistent structure for delivering the curriculum and monitoring student progress.
