The Ministry of Education has approved the academic calendar for the next three years, covering 2026 to 2029, for public and private schools across the UAE.

The move is aimed at strengthening stability within the education system and enabling students, parents and educators to plan well in advance.

According to the Ministry, the three-year framework balances instructional time with quality learning outcomes, while taking educational and social considerations into account.

2026–2027 Academic Year

• Start date: August 31, 2026
• End date: July 2, 2027

Breaks:

• Mid-term break: October 12–18, 2026
• Winter break: December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Spring break: April 5–11, 2027

2027–2028 Academic Year

• Start date: August 30, 2027
• End date: June 30, 2028

Breaks:

• Mid-term break: October 11–17, 2027
• Winter break: December 13, 2027 – January 2, 2028
• Spring break: March 27 – April 2, 2028

2028–2029 Academic Year

• Start date: August 28, 2028
• End date: June 29, 2029

Breaks:

• Mid-term break: October 16–22, 2028
• Winter break: December 11, 2028 – January 1, 2029
• Spring break: March 26 – April 1, 2029

Important guidelines

All schools are required to adhere to the approved mid-term break schedule. However, local education authorities may permit private schools that do not follow the Ministry’s curriculum to split the mid-term break between October and February, provided it does not exceed five school days and aligns with operational needs.

This exception does not apply to private schools in Sharjah, which follow the emirate’s own regulatory framework.

The Ministry also emphasised that all schools must ensure students attend through the final week of each term, during which assessments and curriculum requirements will be completed.

Notably, the calendar does not apply to private schools following the Indian, Bangladeshi, or Pakistani curricula.

Why the three-year plan matters

The Ministry said the extended academic outlook is designed to enhance readiness, improve long-term resource planning, and provide greater clarity for families across the UAE.

By confirming start and end dates well in advance, authorities aim to support schools as key pillars in preparing future generations, while giving parents more certainty for travel, enrolment and academic planning decisions.

The UAE has officially announced the Eid Al Fitr 2026 holiday dates for both public and private sector employees, giving residents clarity as Ramadan draws to a close.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that all federal ministries, government institutions, and public sector entities will observe the Eid holiday from March 19 to March 22, with official working hours resuming on March 23, 2026.

For private sector employees, the holiday will run from March 19 to March 21. Authorities added that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector break will be extended to include March 22, aligning it with the public sector holiday.

The announcement follows the anticipated moon sighting that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, reflection, and community gatherings. Eid Al Fitr is one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar, bringing families and communities together for prayers, festive meals, and charitable giving.

Officials encouraged citizens and residents to plan their travel and festive activities, particularly as the holiday period may create a long weekend for many employees. Public services and government operations are expected to resume smoothly following the break.

With confirmed dates now in place, residents across the UAE can begin preparations for the Eid celebrations.

The Cybersecurity Council (CSC) has warned the public against publishing or sharing sensitive or personal information on social media platforms, stressing that such practices can expose individuals to fraud and privacy breaches.

The Council said that personal data shared online can be exploited to design targeted scams and may result in violations of privacy in cyberspace. It urged users to exercise caution when posting information, noting that responsible online behaviour plays a critical role in reducing cyberattacks and fraudulent activities targeting individuals, companies and institutions.

According to the CSC, approximately 40 per cent of social media users have experienced privacy violations as a result of oversharing personal details about their lives and families. It cautioned that irresponsible sharing significantly increases the risk of theft, cyber fraud and identity theft.

The Council emphasised that even seemingly minor details shared publicly can be used in fraudulent schemes. Users were advised not to disclose home or workplace addresses, personal phone numbers, travel plans, or private family photographs.

Highlighting the importance of individual responsibility, the CSC stressed the need to safeguard personal data and secure social media accounts and mobile devices used for personal and professional purposes. It urged users to keep software updated, limit access to cameras, microphones and location services, create strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication and adopt safe online practices.

The Council further advised the public to verify secure methods of sharing information, avoid unsecured platforms, monitor accounts regularly and exercise caution when responding to incoming messages, particularly as fraudsters increasingly employ advanced technologies to obtain financial and personal data.

Concluding its advisory, the CSC said cybersecurity remains a major challenge in the digital landscape and that preventive measures, responsible conduct and ongoing awareness are essential to addressing risks arising from rapid technological advancement.

The warning comes as part of the “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign, launched by the Council for the second consecutive year on social media platforms. The initiative supports the UAE’s broader efforts to strengthen trust in the national digital ecosystem, promote cybersecurity culture and enhance digital awareness among families and individuals.