UAE Schools Set 2025-2026 Calendar: Key Term Dates and Holidays
UAE schools will reopen on August 25 for the 2025-2026 academic year, adhering to a minimum of 182 school days. The calendar includes winter and spring breaks, with specific dates varying for different curricula.
Key takeaways
- The UAE academic year 2025-2026 begins on August 25 for most schools.
- A minimum of 182 school days is mandated by authorities.
- Winter break is scheduled from December 15 to January 5, 2026.
- Spring break dates differ for MOE and KHDA-governed schools.
- The academic year must end on or after June 26, 2026.
Students in the United Arab Emirates are returning to school on August 25, marking the commencement of the 2025-2026 academic year. This date applies to institutions following the federal Ministry of Education (MOE) curriculum, as well as private schools in Dubai under the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The governmental directive mandates a minimum of 182 school days per academic year.
Key Term Dates and Holidays
The academic year is structured into three terms, featuring distinct winter and spring breaks. For schools adhering to the MOE and KHDA calendars, the winter break is scheduled to begin on December 15, with classes resuming on January 5, 2026. These dates are uniform across all UAE schools.
Spring break dates differ between curricula. Schools under the MOE calendar will observe a spring break from March 23, 2026, to April 12, 2026, restarting classes on April 13, 2026. In contrast, KHDA-governed schools will have a shorter spring break, running from March 23, 2026, to April 5, 2026, with students returning on April 6, 2026.
Regardless of curriculum or governing calendar, all academic years are required to conclude no earlier than June 26, 2026. While end-of-term dates may vary, the 182-day minimum requirement remains a constant for all institutions.
Curriculum Variations
The start of the 2025-2026 academic year at the end of August is applicable to schools following British and American curricula. For schools on an Indian curriculum, which typically begins in April, the summer break serves as an interim period within their ongoing academic calendar.
Key Facts
- Schools in the UAE will reopen on August 25 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- The academic year must consist of at least 182 school days.
- The winter break starts on December 15, 2025, and ends on January 5, 2026, for all schools.
- Spring break dates vary: March 23-April 12, 2026 (MOE), and March 23-April 5, 2026 (KHDA).
- The academic year cannot conclude before June 26, 2026.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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