Three-year plan: Consistent breaks with exemptions for schools in Sharjah and Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi curricula.
UAE Announces 2026–2029 School Calendar
Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Education has unveiled its three-year academic calendar for 2026–2029, announced on Monday, providing a stable schedule of school holidays while introducing flexibility and exemptions that will influence how families plan travel and leisure.
The calendar applies to all public schools and most private schools, aiming to balance instructional time with quality learning and social considerations.
Authorities say the long-term plan enhances system-wide preparedness, improves resource management, and allows schools to schedule academic and extracurricular programmes well in advance.
By setting start dates, term breaks, and summer holidays in advance, the calendar helps parents organise travel, childcare, and enrichment activities, while supporting a stable and sustainable education system.
Predictable Pattern
Across the 2026–27, 2027–28, and 2028–29 academic years, a consistent schedule is evident. Schools start in late August, followed by a mid-term break in October, roughly six to seven weeks later.
Winter break occurs in mid-December, with a shorter spring break scheduled between late March and early April. The academic year concludes in late June or early July.
Breaks Every 6–8 Weeks
For families, the calendar establishes a dependable rhythm: school breaks occur every six to eight weeks during the first half of the year, making it easier to plan short trips or family visits without long gaps in the school schedule.
Winter Break: Winter remains the main holiday, lasting about three weeks each year. It provides the ideal period for long-haul travel and extended family gatherings, particularly during the festive season.
Spring Break: Spring break stays a consistent one-week holiday across all three years. While its timing shifts slightly earlier in the calendar, its duration remains unchanged.
Longest Stretch After Spring Break
Following spring break, students face the longest uninterrupted period of the academic year—around three months until summer. This extended stretch can be challenging for families, increasing the need for weekend activities and careful scheduling.
Mid-Term Break May Be Split
The Ministry of Education stressed that all schools must observe the mid-term break for the first semester as specified in the official calendar.
However, local education authorities may permit private schools not following the Ministry curriculum to split the break between October and February, as long as the total duration does not exceed five school days and meets operational requirements.
This flexibility may alter holiday timing for some families, especially those with children in private schools following international curricula, potentially affecting travel plans and peak booking periods.
Exemptions Clarified
Private schools in Sharjah are exempt from this arrangement and will continue to follow the emirate’s existing regulatory framework. Families in Sharjah are advised to confirm holiday dates directly with their schools, as schedules may vary.
Alternative Curricula and Assessment Requirements
The Ministry of Education clarified that the new academic calendar does not apply to private schools following alternative curricula, such as Indian, Bangladeshi, or Pakistani systems. These schools may have different start and end dates and may schedule term breaks differently.
However, all schools are required to adhere to the approved calendar when conducting final assessments or completing curriculum requirements in the last week of each term, ensuring students attend until the official end of the school year. This requirement does not apply to grades taking pre-scheduled international examinations.
Planning Ahead
The three-year academic calendar provides predictability for most families while maintaining flexibility for school operators. However, exemptions for Sharjah schools and those following Asian curricula mean the UAE will continue to have multiple holiday patterns.
The Ministry of Education explained that the unified calendar is designed to create a stable and sustainable education system, balancing instructional time with quality learning, considering educational and social factors, and supporting improved student outcomes.
Adopting a three-year calendar also strengthens system-wide readiness, enhances resource management, and allows schools to plan academic and extracurricular programmes well in advance, reinforcing their role in preparing future generations.
For parents, the overall rhythm of breaks is consistent and travel-friendly, but it remains important to check individual school calendars to avoid surprises and make the most of holiday periods.
