By Syaff Reporter
Students will return to classrooms in stages from August 31, with full attendance set to resume on September 4
Dubai: Students across the UAE will return to school in phases over four days as the country prepares to begin the 2026-27 academic year.
Under a framework issued by the Ministry of Education’s School Operations Sector, the phased return will take place from Monday, August 31, to Thursday, September 3. All students will then return to school on Friday, September 4, following the normal Friday timetable.
Individual schools will decide which year groups attend on each day during the phased return, with students following reduced school hours.
The Ministry said the arrangement is designed to ensure an organised and safe start to the new academic year while allowing schools to prepare gradually for the return of their full student populations.
School principals have also been given flexibility to adjust the sequence of year groups or increase the number of attendance days, depending on their schools’ readiness and operational needs. Any changes must be coordinated with transport providers, particularly where bus routes are shared.
Five teams to manage the return
The plan applies to all students, from KG1 and KG2 through Cycles 1, 2 and 3, including Grade 12.
Schools have been instructed to establish five teams responsible for managing different aspects of the back-to-school process. These include school management, activities and events, parent communication, reception and support, as well as security and safety.
The teams will oversee preparations before students arrive and continue their work throughout the opening days. Their responsibilities include preparing school facilities, organising transport arrangements, communicating with parents and ensuring students receive a safe and welcoming return to classrooms.
The activities and events team will prepare designated areas and facilities, including signage, safety equipment, classroom identification and plans for back-to-school activities.
Meanwhile, the parent communication team will provide families with guidance and positive messages aimed at ensuring a smooth and orderly start to the school year.
Security and safety teams will be responsible for ensuring procedures are in place, coordinating with bus supervisors and confirming that student transport lists are updated and approved.
Reception and support teams will organise the arrival of staff, students and parents, while also preparing special areas for new pupils and parents.
Schools will also assess the success of their reopening activities by collecting feedback from parents and students and submitting reports on activities carried out during the opening period.
Reduced school hours
Students attending during the four-day phased return will follow shortened school days.
Kindergarten pupils will attend from 8.15am to 11.30am from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, their school day will run from 8am to 11.30am.
For Cycle 1 students, schools have been given two timetable options. The first runs from 7.15am to 11.15am from Monday to Thursday, with Friday hours from 7.10am to 10.30am.
The second option runs from 8.15am to 12.15pm from Monday to Thursday, while Friday classes will take place from 8am to 11.30am.
Boys in Cycles 2 and 3 will attend from 7.15am to 12.15pm during the phased return, with Friday hours from 7.10am to 10.25am.
Girls in Cycles 2 and 3 will attend from 8.15am to 1.15pm from Monday to Thursday and from 8am to 11.30am on Friday.
The Ministry’s framework also provides schools with two possible models for distributing year groups across the four-day phased return.
Only the grades assigned to attend on a particular day will report to school, while other students will remain at home until their scheduled return date.
The phased system will officially end on Friday, September 4, when all students across the participating grades are expected to return to school.
