UAE Ministry of Education approves academic calendar for three consecutive years

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has released the finalized academic calendar for the upcoming three academic years: 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029, applicable to both public and private schools. This initiative aims to ensure the stability of the education system nationwide while facilitating early planning for students, parents, and educators.

This decision underscores the Ministry's dedication to fostering a sustainable and consistent education framework. The new calendar seeks to strike a balance between the number of school days and the quality of education, while taking into account both educational priorities and social considerations. The ultimate goal is to enhance overall educational outcomes.

The Ministry provided a detailed overview of the approved academic calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. According to the schedule, classes will commence on August 31, 2026. The first semester's mid-term break is set for October 12-18, 2026, with students returning to class on October 19. The winter break will span from December 14, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with classes resuming on January 4, 2027. Additionally, the spring break is scheduled from April 5 to 11, 2027, with classes restarting on April 12. The academic year is set to conclude on July 2, 2027.

The academic year for 2027–2028 is set to commence on August 30, 2027. The mid-term break during the first semester is scheduled from October 11 to 17, 2027, with classes resuming on October 18, 2027. Students will have their winter break from December 13, 2027, to January 2, 2028, and will return to classes starting January 3, 2028. Spring break is planned from March 27 to April 2, 2028, with classes restarting on April 3, 2028. The academic year will officially end on June 30, 2028.

For the subsequent academic year of 2028–2029, the semester will begin on August 28, 2028. The mid-term break is scheduled from October 16 to 22, 2028, followed by a return to classes on October 23, 2028. Winter break for students will run from December 11, 2028, to January 1, 2029, with classes resuming on January 2, 2029. Spring break is set for March 26 through April 1, 2029, with classes beginning again on April 2, 2029. The academic year will conclude on June 29, 2029.

The Ministry stressed the importance of all schools following the mid-term break schedule for the first semester as outlined in the approved academic calendar. However, it granted local educational authorities the flexibility to allow exceptions for their affiliated private schools that do not follow the Ministry of Education curriculum. These schools may choose to split the break between October and February, provided that the total duration does not exceed five school days and aligns with their operational requirements. Private schools in the Emirate of Sharjah are excluded from this provision, as they adhere to the regulatory guidelines specific to the Emirate.

The Ministry also stressed the importance of all schools following the approved academic calendar, particularly by conducting final assessments or fulfilling curriculum requirements during the last week of each term. This approach aims to maintain students' consistent attendance until the final day of school, except for classes involved in international exams scheduled on specific dates. The Ministry further clarified that the updated academic calendar does not apply to private schools operating under different systems, such as those following Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, or similar curricula.

The Ministry highlighted that implementing an academic calendar spanning three consecutive years boosts the preparedness of the educational sector, improves resource management efficiency, and enables schools to organize academic programmes and related activities well in advance. This approach aligns with the ministry's vision of positioning schools as central pillars in shaping future generations.