The UAE Ministry of Education has released the official Dubai school calendar for 2025–2026, detailing term dates, holidays, and new mid-term breaks. The unified schedule applies to public and private schools, aiming to improve student well-being and make family planning easier.
Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Education has officially released the academic calendar for the 2025–2026 school year, introducing a unified schedule for all public and private schools across the country. The revised calendar aims to improve student well-being, provide balanced rest periods, and streamline planning for families, educators, and the tourism sector.
Table of contents [Show]
The new school year will begin on 25 August 2025 and run until 3 July 2026 for most schools. In Sharjah, the academic year will end one day earlier, on 2 July 2026.
The structure has been carefully planned to ensure more than 182 school days, meeting the Ministry’s requirement for instructional time while incorporating regular breaks to help students and teachers recharge.
Term 1:
Start: 25 August 2025
End: 7 December 2025
Winter Break:
8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
Classes resume on 5 January 2026
This extended four-week break replaces the usual three-week winter holiday, giving families more time to rest and travel during the festive season.
Term 2:
Start: 5 January 2026
End: 15 March 2026
Spring Break:
16 March to 29 March 2026
Schools resume on 30 March 2026
Private schools in Sharjah will resume earlier, on 23 March 2026
Term 3:
Start: 30 March 2026 (or 23 March for some Sharjah private schools)
End: 3 July 2026 (2 July in Sharjah)
A new highlight in the 2025–2026 calendar is the inclusion of three mid-term breaks to ease academic pressure and improve mental well-being:
First mid-term break: 13 to 19 October 2025
Second mid-term break: 11 to 15 February 2026
Third mid-term break: 25 to 31 May 2026, coinciding with Eid Al Adha
These breaks are compulsory for government curriculum schools. Private schools following other curricula have limited flexibility, with the option to take up to five consecutive days off within the designated month for October and February breaks.
The Ministry of Education has ensured that public schools, as well as private schools offering the national curriculum, will follow the same dates for the start and end of terms, public holidays, and assessments. Schools offering international curricula must align broadly with these guidelines while retaining some freedom to adjust their short breaks.
For consistency, final week assessments are mandatory for all grades except those with external exams.
The first day of school will be 25 August 2025 for all students.
Winter break will be longer than previous years—four full weeks.
Three mid-term breaks will be spread evenly across the year to reduce stress and allow for family activities.
Spring break will be two weeks for most schools, but Sharjah private schools will have a one-week shorter break in March.
The school year will conclude in early July before the summer holiday.
Officials highlighted that the unified academic calendar supports the UAE’s broader vision of building stronger community connections. With synchronized breaks, families can plan travel, leisure, and cultural activities more effectively. The calendar also allows the tourism and hospitality sectors to prepare seasonal offers that align with school holidays, benefiting both residents and the economy.
By spacing out the school year with carefully timed breaks, the new structure aims to reduce burnout for both students and teachers. Regular rest intervals are expected to improve concentration, academic performance, and overall health.
The Ministry emphasized that this calendar reflects a balance between educational rigour and personal well-being—an approach that is increasingly valued in modern education systems.
First day of school: 25 August 2025
First mid-term break: 13–19 October 2025
Winter break: 8 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Second term start: 5 January 2026
Second mid-term break: 11–15 February 2026
Spring break: 16–29 March 2026 (Sharjah private schools resume 23 March)
Third term start: 30 March 2026 (23 March in some Sharjah schools)
Third mid-term break: 25–31 May 2026 (Eid Al Adha)
End of school year: 3 July 2026 (2 July in Sharjah)
This updated academic calendar is designed to give students a smoother learning journey while keeping family time and community life at the forefront. With its extended winter break, structured mid-term pauses, and consistent term dates across the country, the UAE’s education system is set to enter the 2025–2026 academic year with a well-balanced approach that benefits students, parents, teachers, and the wider community alike.
