Dubai parents may need to rethink their October plans after some schools brought forward their half-term holiday by one week.

Several private schools in the emirate have revised their academic calendars, moving the October break from October 19–23 to October 12–16.

The change affects schools including Dubai British School, Safa British School and Arab Unity School, according to reports.

For families at these schools, the earlier holiday means children will finish classes on Friday, October 9 and return on Monday, October 19.

With the weekends included, students will effectively have nine consecutive days away from school, from October 10 to October 18.

Why has the October break changed?

Parents at affected schools were notified of the revised dates through school communications.

The updated calendars are intended to bring school holidays in line with the academic calendar set by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The adjustment means families who had been planning trips around the originally published October 19–23 break should check their school’s latest calendar before finalising arrangements.

Is every Dubai school changing its dates?

No, and this is important. The revised dates do not automatically apply to every private school in Dubai.

Holiday schedules can differ depending on the curriculum a school follows and the regulations under which it operates. Schools following curricula other than the British curriculum may have different term and holiday dates.

Parents should therefore rely on the latest information issued directly by their child’s school rather than assuming that all schools will follow the same October schedule.

Could Dubai students get another mid-term break?

There is another possibility parents should be aware of.

The current academic calendar does not include a February half-term for schools that follow this schedule. Some private schools may choose to divide their mid-term holiday and introduce a break in February instead.

However, schools cannot simply add extra days off. Any change would require the necessary approvals, and the total break must remain within the permitted five school days.

What are the revised dates?

For schools that have adopted the earlier October break:

Last day before holiday: Friday, October 9
Half-term: October 12–16
Weekend: October 17–18
Students return: Monday, October 19

That gives students a break of nine days when the two weekends are included.

What parents need to know?

Before booking flights or making October holiday plans, parents should check their school’s latest academic calendar or parent circular.

1. Unlicensed or unauthorised higher education institutions in the UAE could face immediate closure and fines of up to Dh500,000 under new rules taking effect on September 12.
2. The measures are part of a stronger government push to regulate the higher education sector and protect students.
3. Immediate closure for unlicensed Ilnstitutions
4. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research will enforce the new violations schedule and impose administrative penalties on institutions that breach regulations.
5. Any institution or premises operating without the required licence or approval may be ordered to close immediately.
6. Stronger action will apply to providers that continue operating after a closure order or repeat violations after a ban has expired.
7. Authorities may also work with local government bodies and economic departments to prevent illegal operations from reopening under another name or structure.
8. Students’ rights must be protected
9. The new rules require institutions affected by enforcement action to protect students’ academic and financial rights.
10. Providers must take steps to ensure students can continue their education if regulatory action disrupts their institution.
11. Institutions may also be required to refund fees or other payments collected without legal entitlement.
12. Permanent bans for repeat offenders
13. The rules also introduce permanent bans for individuals behind institutions that repeatedly violate regulations.
14. The offending institution, its owners and anyone with effective control could be permanently prohibited from establishing, owning, managing or controlling higher education or technical and vocational education and training providers.
15. The ban can apply both directly and indirectly.

Students in UAE public schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 2, will not be given homework in the 2026-27 academic year, under a new Ministry of Education (MoE) policy.

The move aims to improve learning during school hours while creating a better balance between education and family life, the ministry said.

Instead of traditional homework, schools will encourage daily reading at home, with selected students encouraged to read with their parents at least once a day.

The approach is designed to strengthen children’s language and cognitive skills during their early years.

Less screen time for Grade 6

Grade 6 students will also see changes in the classroom. Screen use will be removed from subjects including Maths, Science, English and Arabic, with schools placing greater emphasis on group work and collaborative learning.

The MoE said it will continue assessing the effectiveness of digital tools in education.

Dubai Police ready for back-to-school

Meanwhile, Dubai Police have launched a back-to-school security and traffic plan to improve safety and ease congestion around schools.

The operation includes 253 patrols, 28 drones, mounted and bicycle patrols, and more than 200 student safety ambassadors.

A total of 775 police personnel will also engage directly with students, while awareness campaigns will be held with 16 government and private entities.

Authorities say keeping students safe is a shared responsibility involving police, schools, families and the wider community.