Starting January 9, all private schools and early childhood centres (ECCs) in Dubai will end classes on Fridays no later than 11.30am, following a change in Friday prayer timings across the UAE.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said the adjustment comes after Friday prayers were moved to 12.45pm nationwide.

In a statement, KHDA said schools will have the flexibility to introduce staggered or phased dismissals on Fridays to manage logistical, operational and academic requirements, while minimising any impact on teaching and learning.

Schools may also apply for approval to offer online learning on Fridays for students in Grade 6 (Year 7) and above, subject to consultation with parents.

School hours from Monday to Thursday will remain unchanged, KHDA confirmed.

The authority added that it will continue to work closely with schools and ECCs to ensure smooth implementation of the new timings and limit disruption to students, parents and staff.

The UAE has announced a change to the age cut-off for kindergarten and Grade 1 admissions, starting from the 2026–2027 academic year. Here’s a simple breakdown of what parents need to know.

What has changed?

From 2026–27, the official age cut-off for admissions will be December 31 of the admission year.
Earlier, children had to meet the age requirement by August 31.

Which schools does this apply to?

• All schools and kindergartens that begin in August or September will follow the new December 31 cut-off.
• Schools that start their academic year in April will continue using March 31 as the cut-off date.

Who does this affect?

• The new rule applies only to new admissions.
• Children already enrolled in school are not affected.

Why was the change introduced?

Authorities say the move is aimed at:

• Creating fair and unified admission criteria across schools
• Improving access to early education
• Aligning UAE education policies with international standards and national development goals

What should parents do next?

Parents planning school admissions for 2026–27 and beyond should:

• Check their child’s date of birth carefully
• Confirm the academic calendar (August/September or April start) of the school they are applying to
• Speak to schools early to understand placement eligibility

UAE school admissions: Age requirements explained

The education council has clarified the minimum age requirements for school admissions, based on a child’s age as of December 31 of the admission year. Here’s how it works across different curricula:

Pre-K

(Foundation Stage 1 – British curriculum | Petite Section – French | Pre-KG – other curricula)

• Minimum age: 3 years by December 31

KG1

(Foundation Stage 2 – British | Moyenne Section – French | KG1 – other curricula)

• Minimum age: 4 years by December 31

KG2

(Year 1 – British | Grande Section – French | KG2 – other curricula)

• Minimum age: 5 years by December 31

Grade 1

(Year 2 – British | Cours Preparatoire – French | Grade 1 – other curricula)

• Minimum age: 6 years by December 31

What parents should keep in mind

• The age cut-off applies to new admissions only.
• Schools starting in August or September follow the December 31 rule.
• Schools with an April academic start continue using March 31 as the cut-off.

UAE students may see shorter Fridays starting January 2026, as schools adjust to new nationwide prayer timings. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat announced that Friday sermons and prayers will now start at 12:45pm, standardising timing across the country.

This change means schools will likely need to dismiss students earlier so they can get home in time for prayers. Principals say they are waiting for official instructions from education authorities to finalise Friday schedules.

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has started surveying schools to understand how the new prayer timing could affect lesson plans and teaching hours. Some schools may adjust break times or shorten lessons to ensure students can leave on time.

School transport will also need to adapt. Many schools are reviewing bus schedules so students can reach home safely before prayers.

Schools in different emirates face unique challenges. For example, in Ajman, prayer times differ from nearby Sharjah, making Friday dispersal more complex. In Abu Dhabi’s outskirts, traffic is lighter, so schools may not need to change as much, but city schools could face bigger adjustments.

Education authorities like ADEK are expected to issue clear guidelines soon, helping schools balance instructional time with the new Friday prayer schedule.