Education

Dubai private schools to end classes by 11.30am every Friday from January 9

Published

7 months ago

January 3, 2026

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Parents in Dubai will need to reshuffle their Friday routines, as private schools across the emirate will begin closing earlier each week starting January 9, 2026.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that all private schools and early childhood centres operating within private schools must finish the school day no later than 11.30am on Fridays. The move aligns with the UAE-wide adjustment to Friday prayer timings, which have been brought forward to 12.45pm.

Previously, Fridays were already half-days for most schools, with classes ending around noon. The latest update shortens the school day by a further 30 minutes, ensuring students and staff have sufficient time to return home before congregational prayers begin.

According to KHDA, the change prioritises student wellbeing while maintaining curriculum requirements. Schools will be allowed flexibility in how they manage dismissals, including staggered or phased exits, to reduce congestion and minimise disruption to learning.

In a post on social media platform X, KHDA said:
“In line with the adjustment of the Friday prayer time across the country to 12.45pm, and following consultations with educational institutions, effective Friday, January 9, 2026, all private schools and early childhood centres operating within private schools in Dubai will finish the school day no later than 11.30am on Fridays.”

The authority added that schools may introduce flexible arrangements to address logistical and operational challenges, while ensuring teaching time is not significantly affected.

Online learning option for older students

For students in Grade 6 (Year 7) and above, schools may apply to offer online learning on Fridays, subject to parental consultation and approval from KHDA. This option is intended to provide additional flexibility for families, particularly those balancing work and childcare commitments.

The UAE Government has echoed the directive, urging private schools nationwide to adhere to the 11.30am finish on Fridays.

Public school Friday timings also updated

The announcement follows the release of revised Friday schedules for public schools across the UAE, which will also reflect the earlier prayer time:

Kindergarten: 8am – 11.30am
Cycle One:
- 7.10am – 10.30am or
- 8am – 11.30am
Cycles Two and Three:
- Boys: 7.10am – 10.30am
- Girls: 8am – 11.30am

With the changes coming into effect from early January, parents are being advised to plan ahead for earlier pick-ups and revised Friday routines.

Related Topics:dubainews DubaiSchools EducationUpdate fridayprayers khda SchoolTimings UAEEducation UAEUpdates

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Education

Need a school fee certificate? Abu Dhabi families can now get it online in minutes

Published

6 days ago

July 20, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Parents and students in Abu Dhabi can now obtain an officially attested private school fee certificate in just six minutes through the TAMM government services platform, making the process quicker and more convenient than ever.

The fully digital service allows users to request and receive a certified tuition fee certificate without uploading any supporting documents. This certificate is commonly required for government procedures, financial aid requests, scholarship applications, and other official purposes.

Applying is simple and can be completed entirely online. Users need to sign in using their UAE PASS account, submit the application, pay the Dh15 service fee electronically, and download the certified digital certificate once it is issued.

By moving the entire process online, TAMM helps families save time while providing fast access to an important document whenever it’s needed for official or financial requirements.

Education

Dubai’s KHDA launches new councils giving parents and teachers a voice

Published

2 months ago

June 8, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Parents and teachers in Dubai will soon have a direct role in shaping the future of education, following the launch of two new advisory councils by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Building on the success of the Dubai Students Council, KHDA has announced the creation of the Dubai Parents Council and Dubai Educators Council, both set to begin work at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Giving parents and teachers a voice

Each council will consist of 15 members selected through a transparent process and will serve as a formal platform for dialogue between the education community and regulators.

The initiative attracted strong interest, with KHDA receiving 152 applications for the Parents Council and 160 applications for the Educators Council, including submissions from Emirati parents and teachers across Dubai.

Supporting Dubai’s education vision

The new councils are designed to strengthen community participation in education and support the goals of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.

Members will have the opportunity to share ideas, highlight challenges and contribute recommendations on key issues affecting schools and early childhood centres across the emirate.

Focus on student success

The councils are expected to discuss a range of topics, including student wellbeing, inclusion, teaching quality, parental engagement and school-community partnerships.

KHDA said the move reflects its commitment to collaborative decision-making and aims to strengthen trust between families, educators and education authorities.

By formally including parents and teachers in the conversation, Dubai is taking another step towards creating a more inclusive and responsive education system that reflects the needs of its diverse school community.

Education

Dubai schools to receive surprise KHDA inspections§

Published

2 months ago

June 3, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai’s private schools will face short-notice inspections from the 2026-27 academic year under a revamped quality assurance framework announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Under the new approach, schools will receive no more than 24 hours’ notice before inspectors arrive, marking a significant shift in how education quality is monitored across the emirate.

KHDA said the updated system will include two types of visits. Full inspections will be carried out by teams of specialist education experts, while shorter monitoring visits will focus on specific areas of school performance and quality assurance.

Return of formal inspection

The move signals the return of formal inspection activity after KHDA paused inspections during the 2025-26 academic year. At the time, the authority said the break would allow for greater collaboration with schools and a review of how educational quality is assessed and supported.

The new model aims to provide a more responsive and differentiated approach to evaluating schools, with visits designed to offer a clearer picture of day-to-day operations and educational standards.

Dubai’s private school sector serves hundreds of thousands of students across a wide range of international curricula, making quality assurance a key part of maintaining educational standards and supporting continuous improvement.

Further details on how the inspection and monitoring framework will operate are expected ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.