Dubai – The UAE’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has officially confirmed the academic calendar for the 2026–2027 school year, providing parents, students and schools with clear dates for the start of classes and holiday breaks.
For schools following the Ministry’s unified academic calendar, the new school year will begin on Monday, August 31, 2026, following an approximately eight-week summer holiday.
The 2025–2026 academic year concluded on July 3, 2026, giving most students a break of about 59 days before returning to classrooms. While the majority of public and private schools follow the unified calendar, some international curriculum schools may operate on slightly different schedules.
2026–2027 Academic Calendar
- August 31, 2026: First day of the academic year
- October 12–18, 2026: First mid-term break
- October 19, 2026: Classes resume
- December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027: Winter break
- January 4, 2027: Classes resume
- April 5–11, 2027: Spring break
- April 12, 2027: Classes resume
- July 2, 2027: Last day of the academic year
Expected Eid School Holidays
The Ministry’s calendar also includes provisional dates for the two major Islamic holidays, although these remain subject to official moon sightings.
For Eid Al Fitr, schools are expected to close from March 8–12, 2027, with the public holiday likely to fall around March 9–11.
The Eid Al Adha school break is scheduled for May 15–18, 2027, while the nationwide public holiday is expected around May 16–19, pending official confirmation.
Do All Schools Follow the Same Calendar?
Most public and private schools across the UAE follow the Ministry’s unified academic calendar. However, there are notable exceptions.
Private schools in Sharjah continue to operate under the emirate’s own education regulations and may observe different holiday dates.
Schools following alternative education systems, including Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curricula, may also have separate academic calendars with different opening dates and holiday schedules.
In addition, education authorities may allow some private schools to split their mid-term break between October and February, provided the total break does not exceed five school days and meets operational requirements.
Parents are encouraged to confirm term dates directly with their children’s schools, particularly if they attend institutions that do not follow the Ministry’s unified calendar.
