Dubai: Parents and students across the UAE can now start planning ahead as the Ministry of Education has released the official school calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year. The schedule outlines key dates for term starts, breaks, and the end of the school year, applying to all public and private schools nationwide — including those in Dubai under the KHDA.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has released the official school calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year, applying to all public and private schools across the country. The new school year will begin on Monday, August 25, 2025, with unified dates set for the start and end of terms, as well as term breaks.
Schools following the September-start calendar
For schools operating on the September-start academic year, the schedule is:
Start of academic year: August 25, 2025
End of first term / Winter break: December 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Classes resume: January 5, 2026
Spring break: March 16 – 29, 2026
Classes resume: March 30, 2026
End of academic year: July 3, 2026
The MOE has instructed all schools to strictly follow the approved calendar. This includes holding final assessments or completing curriculum requirements during the last week of each term to ensure students attend until the final day of school.
Dubai private school calendar
Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) aligns its academic calendar with MOE guidelines. All private schools in Dubai must comply with the approved dates for the start and end of the academic year, as well as winter, spring, and summer breaks, while meeting the minimum required number of school days.
Dubai private schools starting in April – Academic year 2025–2026
(Primarily Indian curriculum schools)
August 25, 2025: Classes resume after summer break
December 15, 2025: Winter break begins
January 5, 2026: Classes resume after winter break
March 31, 2026: End of academic year*
*March 2026 date applies if the school meets the required minimum of 182 school days.
Dubai private schools starting in September – Academic year 2025–2026
August 25, 2025: Classes resume after summer break
December 8, 2025: Winter break begins (all schools)
January 5, 2026: Classes resume after winter break (all schools)
March 16, 2026: Spring break begins (all schools)
March 30, 2026: Classes resume after spring break (all schools)
July 3, 2026: End of academic year
All private schools will share tentative dates for public holidays, such as Eid and UAE National Day, with parents in advance and confirm them once announced by the UAE Federal Government.
