The UAE 2026–27 school year starts for students on Monday, 31 August 2026 and ends on Friday, 2 July 2027. The Ministry of Education calendar lists a mid-term break on 12–18 October, winter break from 14 December until classes resume on 4 January, and spring break from 5 April until classes resume on 12 April.
UAE school calendar 2026–2027: key dates
| Event | Date | Calendar shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers and administrative staff return | 24 August 2026 | Check with your school |
| Students start school | 31 August 2026 | Add to Google Calendar |
| Term 1 mid-term break | 12–18 October 2026 | Add break |
| Classes resume | 19 October 2026 | Included above |
| Winter break | Starts 14 December 2026 | Add break |
| Classes resume after winter break | 4 January 2027 | Included above |
| Spring break | 5–11 April 2027 | Add break |
| Classes resume after spring break | 12 April 2027 | Included above |
| Last day for students | 2 July 2027 | Add to Google Calendar |
Important: use these dates as a planning baseline, then confirm them with your school. The Ministry’s announcement says the new calendar does not apply to private schools following alternative curricula such as Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani curricula. Local education authorities also have limited flexibility for some private schools; Sharjah has its own established regulatory framework.
Which UAE schools does this calendar cover?
The detailed official PDF is for public and private schools following the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum. The Ministry’s broader announcement says schools should follow the approved calendar, while noting the alternative-curriculum exception above.
- Public schools: covered by the MoE calendar.
- Private schools following the MoE curriculum: covered by the detailed calendar.
- Alternative-curriculum private schools: check the calendar issued by the school and its local regulator.
- Sharjah private schools: verify dates under Sharjah’s established framework.
Quick parent planning checklist
- Save the school start date and all three breaks.
- Check your school’s own calendar before booking travel.
- Confirm whether the school follows the MoE or an alternative curriculum.
- Note that official public-holiday dates may be confirmed separately.
- Keep the final week of each term free: the Ministry says schools may hold final assessments or finish curriculum requirements then.
What about the next two school years?
| Academic year | Student start date | Mid-term break | Winter break | Spring break | Year ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027–28 | 30 Aug 2027 | 11–17 Oct 2027 | 13 Dec 2027–2 Jan 2028 | 27 Mar–2 Apr 2028 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 2028–29 | 28 Aug 2028 | 16–22 Oct 2028 | 11 Dec 2028–1 Jan 2029 | 29 Mar–1 Apr 2029 | 29 Jun 2029 |
Frequently asked questions
When does school start in the UAE in 2026?
Students covered by the MoE calendar start on 31 August 2026. Administrative and teaching staff start on 24 August.
When is the UAE winter school break in 2026?
The student winter break starts on 14 December 2026, and classes resume on 4 January 2027. The detailed PDF labels the student break through 1 January; the Ministry overview describes the break through 3 January because classes restart on 4 January.
When is spring break in 2027?
Spring break runs from 5 to 11 April 2027, with classes resuming on 12 April.
Does this calendar apply to Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools?
No. The Ministry announcement specifically says the new academic calendar does not apply to private schools following alternative curricula such as Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani curricula. Families should use the dates published by their school and local regulator.
Official sources
- UAE Ministry of Education: three-year academic calendar announcement
- UAE Ministry of Education: detailed 2026–27 calendar PDF
Checked against the official Ministry sources on 5 August 2026. School-specific dates and separately announced public holidays can change, so confirm before making non-refundable bookings.