UAE approved a three-year academic calendar covering 2026 to 2029 for public and private schools/Image: File
Parents, pupils and school leaders across the UAE now have clarity well in advance.. The Ministry of Education has approved the academic calendar for the next three school years, covering 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029, setting fixed start dates, term breaks and final school days for both public and private schools.The move is designed to bring greater stability to the education system and allow families and educators to plan earlier. According to the Ministry, the calendar supports a sustainable structure that balances instructional time with quality learning outcomes, while taking educational and social considerations into account.
2026–2027 academic year
The school year will begin on 31 August 2026.
- Mid-term break: 12 October to 18 October 2026
- Classes resume on 19 October 2026
- Winter break: 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Classes resume on 4 January 2027
- Spring break: 5 April to 11 April 2027
- Classes resume on 12 April 2027
- Final school day: 2 July 2027
2027–2028 academic year
Classes will commence on 30 August 2027.
- Mid-term break: 11 October to 17 October 2027
- Classes resume on 18 October 2027
- Winter break: 13 December 2027 to 2 January 2028
- Classes resume on 3 January 2028
- Spring break: 27 March to 2 April 2028
- Classes resume on 3 April 2028
- Final school day: 30 June 2028
2028–2029 academic year
The academic year will start on 28 August 2028.
- Mid-term break: 16 October to 22 October 2028
- Classes resume on 23 October 2028
- Winter break: 11 December 2028 to 1 January 2029
- Classes resume on 2 January 2029
- Spring break: 26 March to 1 April 2029
- Classes resume on 2 April 2029
- Final school day: 29 June 2029
Compliance rules and curriculum exceptions
The Ministry stressed that all schools must observe the designated mid-term break. However, local education authorities may permit private schools that do not follow the Ministry’s curriculum to divide the October mid-term break between October and February. This split must not exceed five school days and must align with operational requirements.This flexibility does not apply to private schools in Sharjah, which operate under the emirate’s specific regulatory framework. The calendar does not apply to private schools following the Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani curricula.All schools are required to comply fully with the approved dates. To ensure student attendance until the final day of each term, schools must conduct final assessments or complete curriculum requirements during the last week. The only exception is for year groups sitting pre-scheduled international examinations.
Long-term planning and sector stability
The Ministry said that setting a three-year academic framework strengthens readiness across the education sector. It supports better resource allocation, earlier programme planning and smoother operational management.By publishing dates through to mid-2029, the Ministry aims to reinforce stability while positioning schools as central institutions in preparing future generations.
