Assessments, enrichment activities, and end-of-year celebrations are now being compressed into a shorter period following earlier phases of distance learning.
As schools across the UAE enter the final phase of the academic year, many students are experiencing more packed schedules. However, educators say the increased intensity is not due to added pressure, but rather the need to fit assessments, enrichment activities, transition programmes, and end-of-year celebrations into a shorter time frame.
Some schools have also enhanced their year-end plans, with students beginning preparations for the next academic stage. In certain institutions, senior students are already transitioning into advanced coursework soon after completing major examinations.
“We deliberately make this period more intensive by running structured transition classes for all students from KG to Grade 12,” said Hussaina Begum Noor Sherieff, Principal of The Bloomington Academy, a North Point Education Group school.
She explained that after Cambridge portfolio submissions for Grades 10 to 12 were completed, the school introduced AS and A-Level preparatory classes to give students an early start. Alongside this, students in Grades 9 to 12 are receiving one-to-one career guidance and internship opportunities.
Sherieff added that the school’s approach goes beyond examinations. “Once these exams and GL assessments are completed, we have scheduled two full weeks of regular classes running until July 3, 2026. Compared to previous years, we are placing greater strategic focus on this final month.”
She said the extended learning period helps close remaining learning gaps and supports a smoother transition into the next academic year.
Balancing learning and wellbeing
Educators emphasised that while some parents feel academic pressure has increased after periods of distance learning, support systems have been in place throughout the year rather than being concentrated at the end.
Jan Steel, Principal and CEO of GEMS Royal Dubai School, said students may perceive the final month as more intense simply because several activities overlap.
“I would not say there is a greater emphasis on learning and assessments than in previous years, but there has certainly been a more concentrated timeline following the period of distance learning,” he said.
He added that students can feel busier as schools work to deliver assessments, curriculum goals, enrichment activities, and end-of-year events within a shorter timeframe.
Steel stressed that schools continue to balance academics with wider learning experiences. He said teachers use ongoing assessments and personalised support to identify and address student needs throughout the year.
He added that the aim is not to “recover lost learning” in the final weeks, but to ensure students feel prepared and confident for the next stage of their education.
‘Business as usual’ until the final day
Many schools say the end of the academic year is carefully planned well in advance, even after adjustments made during periods of online learning.
Shiny Davison, Principal of Woodlem Park School Hamidiya, said the shift to distance learning earlier in the year was managed without disrupting academic delivery.
She noted that changes were introduced early to maintain continuity while avoiding unnecessary stress for students and parents, with regular communication helping to track progress and address concerns.
At GEMS Royal Dubai School, Steel described the final weeks as a time to maintain momentum while recognising student achievements.
“Our focus remains on delivering a high-quality learning experience right up to the final day of term,” he said. “While there are opportunities for reflection, consolidation, and preparation for the next stage, it is very much business as usual.”
