School Planning Gets a Major Boost: UAE Announces 3-Year Academic Calendar (2026–2029)
DUBAI 25-02-2026 The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has unveiled a landmark three-year academic calendar for schools across the country — covering the academic years 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029. This move marks a significant effort to give students, parents, teachers and educational institutions a long-term, stable schedule to plan teaching, learning and holidays well in advance.
According to reports published by The Times of India, the decision ensures that start dates, mid-term breaks, winter holidays, spring breaks, and final school days are fixed well in advance.
Why School Planning Matters for Parents and Schools
Traditionally, school calendars are announced year by year, making it hard for families and schools to make long-term plans. By fixing start dates, term breaks and final school days for the next three academic years, the UAE government is aiming to:
- Provide clarity and stability to the education system
- Help families plan holidays and travel early
- Allow schools to schedule curriculum, exams and extracurriculars efficiently
- Support governments and institutions in effective resource and staff planning
Officials say this calendar reflects a commitment to a sustainable educational framework that strikes a balance between instructional time and student wellbeing.
Academic Year 2026-2027
- Opening Day: 31 August 2026
- Mid-Term Break: 12 – 18 October 2026 (Classes resume 19 Oct)
- Winter Break: 14 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 (Classes resume 4 Jan)
- Spring Break: 5 – 11 April 2027 (Classes resume 12 Apr)
- Final School Day: 2 July 2027
This year’s calendar starts slightly later than previous years but aims to give students a more balanced rhythm between learning and rest periods.
Academic Year 2027-2028
- Opening Day: 30 August 2027
- Mid-Term Break: 11 – 17 October 2027 (Resume 18 Oct)
- Winter Break: 13 Dec 2027 – 2 Jan 2028 (Resume 3 Jan)
- Spring Break: 27 Mar – 2 Apr 2028 (Resume 3 Apr)
- Final School Day: 30 June 2028
This continuity helps families and school planners maintain consistency and anticipate academic and holiday commitments well ahead.
Academic Year 2028-2029
- Opening Day: 28 August 2028
- Mid-Term Break: 16 – 22 October 2028 (Resume 23 Oct)
- Winter Break: 11 Dec 2028 – 1 Jan 2029 (Resume 2 Jan)
- Spring Break: 26 Mar – 1 Apr 2029 (Resume 2 Apr)
- Final School Day: 29 June 2029
By setting dates far in advance, this year solidifies the three-year framework, offering predictability to the entire education sector.
Compliance, Flexibilities and Exceptions
The Ministry has stipulated that all public and private schools must observe the designated mid-term break dates, but there are some flexibilities:
- Private schools not following the UAE curriculum may split the October mid-term break between October and February — as long as the total break does not exceed five school days.
- This flexibility does not apply in Sharjah, where private school calendars are set by the local authority.
- Schools that follow Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani curricula may not be bound by this calendar, and may set their own schedules aligned with their respective boards’ requirements.
These exceptions ensure that global curricula can still be delivered without conflict, while maintaining a unified structure for most institutions.
Broader Goals of the Reform
The UAE’s three-year academic calendar is part of a larger strategy to enhance the quality and consistency of education nationwide. Officials highlight several benefits:
- System-wide readiness: Schools can better prepare for staffing, events and curriculum delivery.
- Improved resource management: Long-term scheduling supports budgeting, facility use and teacher training.
- Student wellbeing: Predictable breaks and highlight timelines help reduce burnout and support learning outcomes.