UAE School Calendar 2026–2029: full academic dates for public and private schools announced

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Parents across the Emirates can now start planning ahead. The Ministry of Education has officially confirmed the UAE school calendar for the next three academic years, covering 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029.

The approved academic calendar applies to public schools and private schools that follow the Ministry curriculum across the country, including Dubai and other emirates.

The calendar does not apply to private schools following alternative curricula such as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi boards, which set their own term dates.

UAE School Calendar 2026–2027

Here are the confirmed key dates for the 2026-2027 academic year:

  • Start of academic year: August 31, 2026

  • Mid-term break (Term 1): October 12–18, 2026

  • Winter break: December 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027

  • Spring break: April 5–11, 2027

  • End of academic year: July 2, 2027

This structure gives families clear visibility on term time, holidays and summer break well in advance.

UAE School Calendar 2027–2028

Looking ahead to 2027-2028, the academic year will run as follows:

  • Start of academic year: August 30, 2027

  • Mid-term break (Term 1): October 11–17, 2027

  • Winter break: December 13, 2027 – January 2, 2028

  • Spring break: March 27 – April 2, 2028

  • End of academic year: June 30, 2028

Notably, the academic year ends slightly earlier than the previous year.

UAE School Calendar 2028–2029

For parents planning even further ahead, here are the dates for 2028-2029:

  • Start of academic year: August 26, 2028

  • Mid-term break (Term 1): October 16–22, 2028

  • Winter break: December 11, 2028 – January 1, 2029

  • Spring break: March 26 – April 1, 2029

  • End of academic year: June 29, 2029

What this means for parents in the UAE

The announcement gives families the ability to:

  • Plan holidays around official school breaks

  • Secure summer camps and childcare early

  • Prepare for back-to-school expenses well in advance

  • Coordinate travel during winter and spring holidays

For working parents, having a confirmed three-year UAE academic calendar provides valuable long-term certainty.

New UAE National Curriculum Law Announced

Alongside the school calendar update, the UAE Government has also introduced a new federal decree law on the governance of the National Educational Curriculum.

This marks the first comprehensive legislative framework regulating:

  • Curriculum design and approval

  • Implementation and review processes

  • Educational objectives and graduate attributes

  • Language of instruction and duration of classes

  • National identity and societal values

  • Core competencies and guiding educational principles

In simple terms, parents can expect curriculum updates and refinements in the coming years as the framework is rolled out.

Educational institutions will be responsible for implementing the curriculum, participating in pilot programmes and providing feedback to the Ministry. Meanwhile, local education authorities will monitor compliance, including oversight of compulsory private schools within their jurisdictions.

Does this apply to all UAE schools?

No. The announced academic calendar applies to:

  • UAE public schools

  • Private schools following the Ministry curriculum

It does not apply to private schools following Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or other alternative international curricula. These schools will continue to publish their own academic calendars.

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