UAE Schools Get Longer Winter Break, New Mid-Term Holidays for 2025-2026
The new calendar, approved by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, kicks off on August 25, 2025. The changes are part of the country's 'Year of Community' drive, aiming to give students a balanced learning schedule and more family time.
Key Term Dates
Academic Year Start: Aug 25, 2025
Term 1 Ends: Dec 7, 2025
Winter Break: Dec 8, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (4 weeks)
Term 2: Jan 5 – Mar 15, 2026
Spring Break: Mar 16 – 29, 2026 (Sharjah private schools return Mar 23)
Term 3: Mar 30 – Jul 3, 2026 (Sharjah ends Jul 2)
New Mid-Term Breaks
Students at government curriculum schools get three extra breaks in the year:
Oct 13 – 19, 2025: Early break in the longest term
Feb 11 – 15, 2026: Mid-year recharge
May 25 – 31, 2026: Around Eid Al Adha
Private schools with other curriculums can still take October and February breaks (up to five days), but must keep them within these months.
Why It Matters
Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri says the unified holiday schedule helps communities, tourism, and cultural groups plan activities alongside school breaks — while making sure teaching and exams run to the very end of term.
The Ministry of Education stressed that all schools must follow the calendar, including centralised test schedules for government curriculum schools.
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