Some schools are offering extended holidays, while others will mark Diwali with celebrations on campus.
Dubai: Students at several Indian curriculum schools across the UAE are set to enjoy an extended Diwali break this year, with holidays lasting four or five days as schools coordinate their calendars with the weekend.
Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8. While some schools have added extra days off to give families more time to celebrate or travel, others will observe the festival with cultural events and activities on campus.
Four-day Diwali break for students
At GEMS Our Own Indian School in Dubai, students will get a four-day holiday, including the weekend.
“We have incorporated a two-day Diwali holiday into our academic calendar, which, together with the weekend, will give students and their families a four-day break. This has been carefully planned while ensuring that we meet the required number of instructional days,” Lalitha Suresh, Principal and CEO of GEMS Our Own Indian School, Dubai, told Gulf News.
Under Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) requirements, private schools must complete a minimum of 182 instructional days. The UAE’s Ministry of Education (MOE), meanwhile, mandates at least 185 teaching days.
Indian curriculum schools following CBSE and ICSE are allowed by local education authorities to arrange holidays around Diwali.
Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools, which begin their academic year in April, follow different internal calendars while meeting the minimum instructional-day requirements set by education authorities, including KHDA, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), SPEA and the MOE.
“We have incorporated a two-day Diwali holiday into our academic calendar, which, together with the weekend, will give students and their families a four-day break. This has been carefully planned while ensuring that we meet the required number of instructional days.”
Lalitha Suresh, Principal and CEO, GEMS Our Own Indian School, Dubai
Five-day Diwali holiday from November 7 to 11
Students at the Indian High Group of Schools will enjoy a five-day break from November 7 to 11, giving families additional time to celebrate the festival or make travel plans.
“Diwali is a special occasion for families to come together, reconnect with loved ones and make lasting memories. As many students and faculty members may wish to travel to India for the celebrations, while others prefer to stay in the UAE, we have allocated three additional days off from November 7 to 11,” said Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools.
He said the extended break is intended to give students and staff enough time to spend with their families.
“This gives our colleagues, learners and parents the opportunity to celebrate fully, visit family and friends, and return feeling refreshed and happy,” Vasu added.
He explained that, like several other Indian schools in the UAE, the group holds Diwali celebrations before the holiday. Activities include lamp-making, themed arts and crafts, dance and music.
“By combining the Diwali holidays with the weekend, families can enjoy five uninterrupted days of celebrations without the pressure of rushing back to school or work.”
However, the length of the Diwali break differs from one school to another, with no uniform holiday schedule across Indian curriculum schools. Parents are advised to consult their school’s academic calendar or contact the administration to confirm the dates.
“We have provided three additional days of holiday, giving students and staff a five-day break from November 7 to 11. This allows our colleagues, learners and parents to celebrate wholeheartedly, visit family and friends, and return refreshed and happy. By combining the Diwali holidays with the weekend, families can enjoy five days of uninterrupted celebrations without stress.”
Punit MK Vasu, CEO, The Indian High Group of Schools
Do international schools in the UAE close for Diwali?
Most international schools following Western curricula, including IB, British and American programmes, remain open during Diwali, although many organise celebrations on campus.
“We do not close for Diwali or give students time away from studies. However, we believe it is important to recognise and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community. This year, parents from our Parent and Family Association who celebrate Diwali are leading a Festival of Light workshop after the school day, helping students learn about the significance of the festival and its associated traditions,” said Richard John Drew, Principal of Jumeira Baccalaureate School.
“We remain open during Diwali and do not give students time off from their studies. However, we believe it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community. This year, parents from our Parent and Family Association who observe Diwali are organising a Festival of Light workshop after school, giving students an opportunity to learn about the festival’s significance and traditions.”
Richard John Drew, Principal of Jumeira Baccalaureate School
Drew said the programme will feature arts and crafts, jewellery-making, music, dance performances and tastings of traditional foods, helping students gain a better understanding of Diwali and its message.
“Events like these provide an opportunity to share cultural knowledge across our multinational school community and promote the values of understanding, respect and inclusion.”
