Dubai: As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, educators across the UAE say the 2025–2026 academic calendar has been carefully structured to ease pressure on students while ensuring learning continuity.
Ramadan, expected to begin on February 19, will include 12 full holiday days, in addition to four Fridays with significantly reduced school hours or a shift to distance learning, according to teachers and school administrators in both public and private schools following the national curriculum.
Educators explained that the calendar minimises disruption by aligning Ramadan with existing breaks. Six days of the holy month fall on regular weekly holidays, while the final six days coincide with the spring break, which marks the end of the second academic term, according to Emarat Al Youm.
As a result, the number of days dedicated to full in-person classroom teaching during Ramadan is expected to not exceed eight days, with the remaining school days largely allocated to end-of-term assessments.
Official schedules indicate that weekly holidays fall on the 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th days of Ramadan, while the spring break runs from the 25th to the 30th day of the holy month. Fridays — the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th — will feature shortened school days lasting between 90 and 150 minutes, or remote learning, subject to school approval.
School leaders said many institutions anticipate the Ministry of Education will reinstate the “Ramadan with the Family” initiative, which designates Fridays for distance learning. The programme aligns with the Year of the Family and aims to strengthen family bonds while maintaining core academic engagement.
In previous years, the ministry issued detailed guidance for parents and students on how Fridays could be used productively through educational, cultural and religious activities linked to the curriculum.
Meanwhile, private schools offering foreign curricula have urged parents not to schedule extended holidays after the mid-term break, which ends on February 15, warning that the first week back coincides with the start of Ramadan. School administrations stressed that consistent attendance remains essential, as low turnout can disrupt lesson delivery.
Schools also confirmed that extracurricular activities and canteen services will be suspended during Ramadan, although water stations will remain available. Parents of non-fasting students have been advised to ensure their children bring appropriate meals to school.
