Education Ministry Unveils Unified School Calendar for 2025-2026 Academic Term
The Ministry of Education (MoE) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a new unified school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year, designed to enhance family cohesion and student well-being. The calendar, which applies to all public and private schools across the UAE, aims to create consistency and improve alignment among academic schedules.
According to the calendar, the academic year will officially commence on 25 August 2025 and conclude on 3 July 2026, with Sharjah-based private schools ending the year on 2 July 2026. A four-week winter break will follow, running from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, allowing students a much-needed rest before classes resume on 5 January 2026.
The calendar introduces three mid-term breaks for public and private schools. The first mid-term break is set for 13-19 October 2025, with classes resuming on 20 October 2025. The second mid-term break is scheduled for 11-15 February 2026, and classes will resume on 16 February 2026. A third mid-term break, coinciding with the Eid Al Adha holiday, is from 25-31 May 2026. Each mid-term break must not exceed five consecutive days.
Private schools not following the national curriculum have been granted limited flexibility for scheduling mid-term breaks. These schools can have two mid-term breaks, one in October and another in February. However, specific dates for these breaks have not been provided in this paragraph.
The new calendar aligns with the goals of the "Year of Community," as declared by the UAE. It is a strategic national tool to promote educational excellence and social cohesion. The Minister of Education, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, has stated that the new calendar aims to build a more balanced academic structure, providing students with regular opportunities to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with their families.
Private schools following the government curriculum must comply with the centralised test schedule used in public schools. All schools are required to strictly adhere to the calendar, including conducting final assessments in the last week of each term. The second term will span from 5 January to 15 March 2026, followed by the spring break from 16 to 29 March 2026. Classes will resume on 30 March 2026, except in Sharjah where private schools will reopen on 23 March 2026.
The calendar is expected to improve consistency across public and private schools, supporting family time and student well-being, particularly during the UAE's declared 'Year of Community.'
- The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Education (MoE) has aligned the new school calendar with the goals of the "Year of Community," a strategic national effort aimed at promoting educational excellence and social cohesion.
- In line with the government's objectives, the new unified school calendar seeks to build a more balanced academic structure, offering students regular opportunities for rest, recharging, and spending quality time with their families.
- General news coverage on the matter highlights that the government's education-and-self-development policies aim to create consistency and improve alignment among academic schedules across UAE's community, benefiting both public and private schools in fostering family cohesion and student well-being.
