The UAE has unveiled its new 2025–2026 academic calendar, giving students across the country 135 days off during the year. With 178 instructional days, the schedule reflects a strategic balance between academics and much-needed downtime, while also making it easier for families to plan ahead.
Dubai: For students in the UAE, the upcoming school year promises something extraordinary: 135 days of holidays. Out of the 313-day school calendar for 2025–26, learners will spend 178 days in classrooms and the remaining days enjoying weekends, public holidays, and scheduled breaks. The move highlights the UAE’s growing focus on student well-being, family life, and the creation of a consistent national education rhythm.
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The 313-day calendar is divided into 57% learning days and 43% days off. Here’s the breakdown:
68 weekend days
4 official public holidays
7 days off in October as a mid-term break during the first semester
30 days winter break in December and early January
5 days mid-term break in February during the second term
14 days spring break in March
7 days off in May as a third-term mid-break coinciding with Eid Al Adha
This structured approach ensures that students have significant opportunities to rest and recharge while also keeping learning consistent and uninterrupted.
| Term / Break | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Aug 25 – Dec 7, 2025 | 75 school days |
| Mid-term Break | Oct 13 – Oct 19, 2025 | 7 days |
| Winter Break | Dec 8, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 | 30 days |
| Term 2 | Jan 5 – Mar 15, 2026 | 60 school days |
| Mid-term Break | Feb 11 – Feb 15, 2026 | 5 days |
| Spring Break | Mar 16 – Mar 29, 2026 | 14 days |
| Term 3 | Mar 30 – Jul 3, 2026 (Jul 2 for Sharjah) | 43 school days |
| Mid-term Break | May 25 – May 31, 2026 | 7 days |
| Total | Aug 25, 2025 – Jul 3, 2026 | 313 days (178 school, 135 off) |
Education experts and parents see this calendar as a step toward balance. Traditionally, school timetables in many regions have leaned heavily toward instruction with fewer rest days. The UAE’s approach recognizes that effective learning also requires well-timed breaks.
For students, this means less burnout and improved focus. Research shows that short, structured breaks enhance memory retention and academic performance.
For parents, unified dates across all emirates simplify family planning, especially for travel or holidays. A Dubai-based parent explained: “With three children in different schools, the new harmonized breaks mean we can finally plan vacations together without worrying about mismatched schedules.”
For educators, the schedule helps with long-term lesson planning, minimizing disruption around public holidays and major events.
Mental and Emotional Well-being:
Frequent short breaks, paired with longer winter and spring holidays, support better mental health among students.
Alignment with Cultural Celebrations:
Breaks coincide with major religious festivals such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, allowing students and families to participate fully in traditions.
Harmonized Nationwide Timetable:
The unified schedule reduces confusion for families moving between emirates or switching schools.
Flexibility for Schools and Teachers:
With clear timelines, schools can better prepare for exams, activities, and extracurricular events.
Globally, the UAE’s model sits between the long continuous school terms of Asia and the frequent shorter breaks seen in Europe. By giving students 135 days off, the UAE ensures learners have one of the most generous holiday schedules in the region, while still maintaining global competitiveness in instructional days.
Educational analysts note that this model could inspire neighboring countries to adopt similar frameworks, especially in Gulf states where family-centric policies are highly valued.
The calendar is not only about leisure. It reflects the UAE’s broader education strategy: to foster a happy, well-prepared, and balanced student community. By considering both academic rigor and downtime, the system aims to develop learners who are productive, innovative, and emotionally resilient.
One school principal noted: “We are moving away from a system that prioritizes only instruction hours. This calendar shows that rest is just as important in shaping successful learners.”
With 178 learning days and 135 rest days, the 2025–26 school year sets a new benchmark for balance in the UAE’s education system. Students will enjoy one of the most student-friendly academic calendars in the region, while parents and educators benefit from a clear, harmonized structure.
As the new academic year begins on August 25, 2025, the focus will not only be on academics but also on building a healthier, more balanced approach to education—something that reflects the UAE’s long-term vision for the future.
