UAE Indian School Principals Explain Why Classes Will Continue in October and When Students Can Expect Their Next Break.
Dubai: While schools following the British and certain other international curricula in the UAE are preparing for their October half-term holidays, students enrolled in Indian curriculum schools will continue attending classes as usual.
This includes schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE).
Unlike their counterparts in some international schools, these students will not have a scheduled mid-term break in October.
When Is the Next Holiday for CBSE Students in the UAE?
According to principals of Indian curriculum schools in Dubai, the next major scheduled holiday for students will be the winter break in December.
The holiday will offer students and their families an extended opportunity to relax, spend time together and prepare for the next academic term.
Seema Umar, Principal of Dewvale School in Dubai, confirmed that students following the CBSE and other Indian curricula can expect their next scheduled extended holiday during the December winter break.
She explained that schools will continue following the UAE’s approved academic calendar, with students expected to return to classrooms in January.
Umar added that the winter holiday will provide a valuable opportunity for students and families to take a break from their regular academic routines and return refreshed for the next term.
While October brings a half-term holiday for several international schools, Indian curriculum students in the UAE will generally need to wait until December for their next extended school vacation.
Seema Umar, Principal of Dewvale School in Dubai, explained that students enrolled in CBSE and other Indian curriculum schools will have their next extended holiday during the winter break in December.
She noted that the December holidays will give students and their families an opportunity to relax, spend quality time together and prepare for the next academic term.
When Is the October Mid-Term Break in UAE Schools?
According to the UAE Ministry of Education’s academic calendar for 2026–27, the October mid-term holiday is scheduled from Monday, October 12, to Friday, October 16.
Including the weekends before and after the break, students at participating schools will enjoy nine consecutive days away from classrooms, beginning Saturday, October 10, and ending Sunday, October 18.
Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, October 19.
The holiday applies to schools following the relevant UAE academic calendar, including many British and other international curriculum institutions.
However, schools offering Indian and Pakistani curricula generally operate under a different academic schedule, with their school year running from April to March.
As a result, these schools do not necessarily observe the October mid-term holiday followed by institutions operating on an August- or September-start academic calendar.
Why Do CBSE Schools Not Have an October Mid-Term Holiday?
The main reason for the difference is the structure of the academic year and the timing of examinations.
Most CBSE schools follow an April-to-March academic calendar, unlike many international schools that begin their academic year in August or September.
Their academic schedules are organised around classroom assessments, examinations and important board examination periods.
Consequently, holidays and school breaks are arranged to align with these academic requirements rather than the October half-term schedule followed by many British and international curriculum schools.
For CBSE students in the UAE, the next significant opportunity for an extended school holiday will therefore be the winter break in December.
October Marks an Important Academic Period for CBSE Students
Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools, explained that October is a significant part of the academic calendar for students following the Indian curriculum.
He said the academic year generally begins in April and is organised around major assessments and examinations, making uninterrupted teaching periods essential at certain times of the year.
While schools following other curricula may schedule holidays during October, Indian curriculum institutions often use this period to complete important academic requirements.
According to Vasu, October is typically when students finish their first-term half-yearly examinations and begin transitioning into the second term.
He also highlighted that individual school calendars must receive approval from the relevant local education authorities.
In Dubai, Indian curriculum schools are required to provide a minimum of 182 instructional days during the academic year.
The CBSE academic framework also promotes consistency in term planning across affiliated schools internationally, particularly as students prepare for board examinations scheduled to begin in February.
Vasu emphasised that the school calendar is designed to balance examination requirements, classroom learning and the minimum number of teaching days prescribed by education authorities.
How Do Indian Curriculum Schools in Dubai Plan Their Holidays?
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School, explained that Indian curriculum schools in Dubai develop their academic calendars using the schedules and guidelines issued by UAE education authorities.
These include the Ministry of Education and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
She said schools carefully organise their academic programmes while considering CBSE board examinations from the beginning of the school year.
Unlike many international schools that operate on an August-to-June or September-to-June schedule, Indian curriculum schools generally follow the April-to-March academic cycle.
Singh explained that this structure includes two main vacation periods: the summer break and the winter break.
Both holidays are planned in advance as part of the approved academic calendar, allowing schools to organise teaching schedules, assessments and examination preparation accordingly.
This approach helps ensure that students receive the required number of instructional days while maintaining alignment with the broader CBSE academic framework.
CBSE Schools Can Include Additional Holidays in Their Academic Calendars
Indian curriculum schools in Dubai have some flexibility to include additional holidays in their academic schedules, provided they comply with the requirements of local education authorities.
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School, explained that education authorities share the academic calendar with schools well in advance, including scheduled breaks and public holidays.
This allows schools to plan their teaching schedules, assessments and examinations while ensuring alignment with CBSE requirements.
She added that many CBSE schools use the flexibility available to them to accommodate occasions such as Diwali and Republic Day.
Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools, also highlighted the importance of recognising religious and cultural celebrations when preparing school calendars.
He explained that Indian curriculum schools may include holidays for occasions such as Eid, Diwali, Christmas and Good Friday, depending on their approved academic schedules.
According to Vasu, school breaks are carefully arranged to give students opportunities to relax, spend time with their families and participate in cultural traditions without compromising academic requirements.
He emphasised that schools must balance students’ well-being with the instructional and examination standards established by CBSE and local regulatory authorities.
When Does the Winter Break Begin for CBSE Schools in Dubai?
According to Dubai’s published academic calendar for schools following the April-to-March academic year, the winter holiday is scheduled to begin on Monday, December 14, 2026.
Students are expected to return to classrooms on Monday, January 4, 2027.
This gives students approximately three weeks away from school, providing an extended opportunity to rest and enjoy time with their families before the next academic term.
However, parents are encouraged to consult their children’s schools for confirmation of the exact holiday dates, as individual institutions may have additional approved holidays or adjustments to their academic calendars.
