The UAE’s Ministry of Education has unveiled a new unified academic calendar for the 2025–2026 school year, applicable to all public and private schools across the country. The move comes following approval by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council.

The standardised calendar aims to strengthen family bonds, support student well-being, and align with the broader objectives of the UAE’s ‘Year of Community’ initiative.

Key Dates for the 2025–2026 School Year

• Academic year begins: August 25, 2025
• Winter break: December 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (classes resume January 5)
• Spring break: March 16 – 29, 2026
• Third term begins: March 30 and runs through July 3, 2026
  • Sharjah schools will resume on March 23 and close on July 2

Mid-Term Breaks Introduced

To ease academic pressure and enhance student well-being, the calendar includes three mid-term breaks for public and private schools that follow the national curriculum:

• October 13–19, 2025
• February 11–15, 2026
• May 25–31, 2026 (coinciding with Eid Al Adha)

Private schools that do not follow the Ministry’s curriculum may also schedule October and February mid-term breaks, but each break must not exceed five consecutive days and must fall within the designated month.

Assessments and Adherence

The Ministry emphasised that all schools must comply with the unified calendar, including the requirement to conduct student assessments through the final week of each term. Exceptions will only apply to students taking international board examinations.

Officials say the updated structure offers a balanced academic experience while supporting broader community engagement and educational excellence.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has unveiled a new academic calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year, set to be adopted across all public and private higher education institutions in the UAE. The move follows approval from the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council and is part of a broader push to strengthen the national education system.

Key changes include a revised structure for end-of-term holidays, aimed at offering greater flexibility and consistency for universities across the country. The revamped calendar is aligned with the objectives of the ‘Year of Community,’ a national initiative that encourages family cohesion and student well-being through a more balanced academic schedule.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said the new calendar reflects a strategic shift in how academic life is structured to better serve students and society.

“This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs,” Dr. Al Awar said. “It marks a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students’ well-being, community engagement, and personal growth.”

The Ministry says the updated calendar is part of a larger vision to foster an integrated and responsive university environment—one that not only meets academic requirements but also supports the broader personal and social development of students.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has begun a wide-ranging review of academic records in private schools across the emirate, as part of efforts to crack down on grade inflation and protect the integrity of student qualifications.

In the first phase of the review, schools are required to submit detailed Grade 12 records, including transcripts, samples of student work, and grading policies for official inspection.

So far, 12 private schools have been temporarily barred from enrolling students in Grades 11 and 12 until they resolve compliance issues.

Why it matters

ADEK says the move is designed to ensure that grades awarded to students accurately reflect their academic performance, rather than being inflated or inconsistent with national and international standards.

“This initiative promotes fairness, transparency and academic integrity,” ADEK said in a statement.
“Students must earn their qualifications through real achievement, not artificially high marks.”

The review was prompted by findings from ADEK’s routine quality checks, which revealed significant gaps between internal school grades and external benchmark assessments, raising concerns about how accurately some schools are evaluating student performance.

What’s next?

Future phases of the review will expand to include Grades 9 to 11, with schools facing further scrutiny if they fail to align internal assessments with recognised benchmarks. Those who don’t comply may face additional corrective action, ADEK warned.

Impact on families

For parents and students, the review signals a renewed focus on academic standards and a push to ensure qualifications from Abu Dhabi schools are globally credible and trustworthy. It also reassures universities and employers that student transcripts genuinely reflect performance.

The initiative is part of ADEK’s broader commitment to raising the bar across Abu Dhabi’s education sector, ensuring students are well-prepared for higher education and future careers.