UAE School Calendar 2025 Revealed: Exciting Changes Ahead

The UAE school calendar 2025 has officially been released, offering clarity to students, parents, teachers, and school administrators across the Emirates. Both public and private schools will now follow a more synchronized academic schedule, as announced by the UAE Ministry of Education and the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE).

The new calendar outlines the start and end dates of terms, major holidays, and breaks, ensuring everyone involved in education is on the same page. This announcement is not just important for planning vacations, but also for organizing school activities, exams, and admissions.

This article breaks down the UAE school calendar 2025 in detail, highlighting key dates, changes from previous years, and how it impacts students in different curriculums like MOE, British, American, IB, and Indian.

Why the UAE School Calendar 2025 Matters

Education plays a central role in the UAE’s long-term vision. A well-structured school calendar supports:

Better planning for academic and extracurricular activities
Harmonized holidays for families with children in different types of schools
Efficient school operations including assessments, staffing, and administration

By standardizing term dates across public and many private institutions, the UAE aims to enhance the quality and continuity of education.

Key Highlights of the UAE School Calendar 2025

Here are the main features of the new calendar:

Event	Public Schools (MOE Curriculum)	Private Schools (Various Curriculums)
First Day of School	Monday, 1 September 2025	Between Sunday, 31 August and Monday, 1 September 2025
Winter Break Start	Sunday, 14 December 2025	Flexible within a 3-week window
Winter Break End	Sunday, 4 January 2026	Must complete minimum 3 weeks
Spring Break Start	Sunday, 29 March 2026	Flexible (March to April window)
Spring Break End	Sunday, 12 April 2026	Must complete minimum 2 weeks
Academic Year End	Thursday, 9 July 2026	By Thursday, 9 July 2026 (latest possible date)
Total Academic Days	Minimum 182 days	Minimum 182 days

Note: Islamic holidays like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are subject to lunar calendar sightings and will be confirmed closer to the dates.

Breakdown by Term: UAE School Calendar 2025

Term 1 (Autumn Term)

Start Date: 1 September 2025 (Monday)
End Date: 12 December 2025 (Friday)
Total Duration: About 15 weeks
Holidays: Possible Islamic New Year (Hijri), Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

This term will kick off the academic year with a focus on new curriculum coverage, student onboarding, and early assessments. Schools are advised to organize parent-teacher meetings in late October or early November.

Winter Break

Dates: 14 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
Duration: 3 weeks

The winter break will give students and teachers a much-needed rest. International private schools may align their Christmas and New Year’s breaks accordingly.

Term 2 (Spring Term)

Start Date: 5 January 2026 (Monday)
End Date: 27 March 2026 (Friday)
Total Duration: About 12 weeks
Holidays: Likely includes mid-term break and potential National Environment Day

This term will be crucial for mid-year exams and the completion of core subjects. Students in higher grades, especially grades 10 to 12, will begin preparation for board exams during this period.

Spring Break

Dates: 29 March to 12 April 2026
Duration: 2 weeks

The spring break ensures students are well-rested before entering the final academic push. Some schools may shift the break slightly depending on their curriculum.

Term 3 (Summer Term)

Start Date: 13 April 2026 (Monday)
End Date: 9 July 2026 (Thursday)
Total Duration: About 13 weeks
Holidays: Includes Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha (to be confirmed)

This is the final and often the most academically intense term. National and international exams, final assessments, and graduation ceremonies will be held during this time.

Differences Between Public and Private School Calendars

While the calendar brings more alignment, there are still some differences based on curriculum types.

Public Schools (MOE Curriculum)

Fully follows the Ministry’s centralized calendar
Strict term start and end dates with academic day requirements
National holidays are followed precisely as per federal announcements

Private Schools (British, American, IB, Indian, etc.)

Must complete a minimum of 182 school days
Have some flexibility in holidays like winter and spring breaks
Required to align broadly with the Ministry’s start and end dates

Important: All schools must submit their academic calendars to relevant education authorities (ADEK, KHDA, SPEA, etc.) for approval.

Important Islamic Holidays in the UAE School Calendar 2025

Islamic holidays can shift by one or two days based on moon sightings. For planning purposes, expected dates include:

Eid Al Fitr: Late March or early April 2026
Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha: Likely late June 2026
Hijri New Year: Early October 2025
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: Mid-October 2025

Final dates will be confirmed by official UAE announcements closer to the events.

How This Affects Parents, Teachers and Students

The new UAE school calendar 2025 is designed to:

Help parents plan holidays and family events better
Enable schools to schedule exams, activities, and teacher training in advance
Support students in having a balanced academic year with sufficient rest periods

Calendar Compliance and Oversight

All schools in the UAE must:

Submit their calendar to education regulators
Ensure compliance with the required minimum academic days
Communicate the final approved calendar to parents by the end of Term 3, 2024

Key education regulators involved:

KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority – Dubai)
ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge)
SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority)
MoE (Ministry of Education – UAE-wide oversight)

What’s New in the 2025 UAE School Calendar

The 2025 edition of the UAE school calendar includes some notable features:

Earlier school reopening starting on a Monday (1 September), giving schools a full week of academic engagement right from the start
Standardized holidays ensuring that all students get minimum breaks without major overlaps
Minimum school days enforced to promote uninterrupted learning and better time management

Tips for Parents: Preparing for the 2025 Academic Year

Here are some ways parents can use the school calendar effectively:

Mark all important dates in your personal planner or digital calendar
Plan vacations during school breaks to avoid missed classes
Track assessments so your child is prepared in advance
Stay updated through school newsletters and official announcements

Final Thoughts

The UAE school calendar 2025 brings structure and clarity to the academic year, helping families and educators stay in sync. With clear start dates, structured terms, and defined holidays, the Ministry of Education is reinforcing its commitment to quality and consistency in the education sector.

Whether your child is in a public school or a private international curriculum, this calendar provides the framework to plan for academic success, family time, and personal development.

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