Dubai: Students in the UAE will go back to classes on Monday, August 31 which’s the start of the 2026-27 school year for public schools and private schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum.
The 37-week school schedule has 185 days of teaching. Goes until July 2 2027. The school year is split into three terms, and students also have time off for mid-term, winter, Eid Al Fitr and spring holidays.
Three terms and 185 days of teaching
The first term lasts 13 weeks. Has 67 days of teaching. The second term is 12 weeks, with 60 days of teaching. The last term has 58 days of teaching.
The first big time off is the term holiday from October 12 to 16. Students then do tests and exams in November and December.
The UAE National Day holiday is from December 2 to 4. Then there is a winter break from December 14 to January 1.
Students go back to school for the term on January 4 2027.
Eid and spring time off
The term includes the Eid Al Fitr break from March 8 to 12, followed by school tests from March 22 to April 2.
The spring break is planned for April 5 to 9. Students go back on April 12 for the third and last term.
The last term has times for tests, including the TIMSS 2027 international study, which is from April 19 to May 14.
Standardised tests continue through June, then there are practice exams from June 14 to 18.
Final exams are planned for June 21 to 30.
When does the school year end?
The last day of school for students is July 2 2027. Makeup exams go on until July 6, and final results are expected between July 7 and 9.
The school schedule is part of a three-year plan by the Ministry of Education covering school years up to 2028-29. The long-term plan is meant to help families, students and schools plan terms, holidays and school activities better.