Public and private schools in the UAE unveil their academic schedule for the year 2025
UAE Announces School and University Calendar for 2025-2026 Academic Year
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the school and university calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year, providing a unified schedule for all public and private institutions across the country.
The academic year will commence on August 25, 2025, and conclude on July 3, 2026, with a one-day earlier end on July 2 for private schools in Sharjah. The winter break will be from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, while the spring break will be from March 16 to March 29, 2026 (ending earlier for private schools in Sharjah on March 22).
Mid-term breaks have been set for October 13-19, 2025, February 11-15, 2026, and May 25-31, 2026. These dates apply to all schools following the government's curriculum, ensuring a cohesive academic calendar nationwide.
For private schools not adhering to the government's curriculum, such as certain international or foreign curriculum schools, the Ministry of Education allows flexibility. These schools may schedule mid-term breaks in October and February, but each break must not exceed five consecutive days and must remain within the respective months. This accommodation permits operational adaptability while maintaining alignment with the national calendar.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, stated that the new calendar is a strategic national tool reinforcing educational quality and social cohesion. All schools must follow the approved calendar, including holding final assessments or completing curriculum requirements in the last week of each term. This rule applies except for pupils taking pre-scheduled international exams.
The new calendar was approved by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council and is expected to enable community, cultural, and tourism entities to align their programs with the academic schedule, strengthening the link between education and society. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has also unveiled a new calendar for the university academic year 2025-2026. The calendar was announced on July 23, 2025.
The newly approved UAE calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year includes specific dates for education-and-self-development institutions, providing news for all public and private schools across the country. This calendar adheres to a unified schedule, with general-news highlights such as the academic year commencing on August 25, 2025, and concluding on July 3, 2026.
