By Staff Reporter
The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed that all nurseries, schools, and universities across the country will resume in-person learning starting Monday, April 20, 2026. The announcement brings clarity after days of uncertainty, marking a nationwide return to classrooms while maintaining flexible learning options where necessary.
For parents, the reopening means children will head back to campuses, although each school will manage the transition carefully. In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has emphasized that schools must meet strict health and safety requirements before welcoming students. Families are encouraged to stay updated through direct communication from their schools.
Nurseries in Dubai have already begun a phased return, with some reopening as early as April 16, particularly those located in government and commercial buildings. Others may continue offering approved home-based childcare services. KHDA has also introduced flexible options for younger children, including small home-based learning groups and teacher-led sessions in private homes.
School transport services will resume nationwide on April 20. Authorities have confirmed that buses in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman will operate under approved safety protocols, ensuring students can travel to and from school with minimal disruption.
At the higher education level, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has directed universities to reopen campuses from the same date. However, institutions are adopting varied approaches. Some, like the American University of Sharjah, will bring staff back while keeping students online for the remainder of the term. Others, including Middlesex University Dubai, will continue fully remote learning, while institutions such as University of Dubai are resuming full on-campus operations.
Final examinations have also seen major changes this year. Several international examination bodies have cancelled external exams in the UAE for 2026, including Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, OxfordAQA, CBSE, ISC, and the International Baccalaureate. As a result, key qualifications such as IGCSEs and A Levels will not include external exams this year, with schools expected to provide guidance on alternative grading methods.
Overall, the UAE’s approach reflects a balance between returning to normal classroom learning and maintaining flexibility to adapt to ongoing conditions.
