Latest news with #Education Council
Arabian Business
6 days ago
- General
- Arabian Business
UAE school calendar for 2025-2026: Longer winter break and new mid-term holidays revealed
The UAE has announced the academic calendar for public and private sector schools in the 2025-2026 academic year, introducing unified term dates, longer breaks, and new mid-term holidays. The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) unveiled the new school calendar, which was approved by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council. The updated schedule will take effect from August 25, 2025, aligning with the country's 'Year of Community' goals to strengthen family cohesion and create a balanced learning environment. Key dates for UAE school year 2025-2026 Academic year starts: August 25, 2025 First term ends: December 7, 2025 Winter break: December 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (four weeks) Second term: January 5 –March 15, 2026 Spring break: March 16 – 29, 2026 (Sharjah private schools return March 23, 2026) Third term: March 30, –July 3, 2026 (Sharjah schools end July 2, 2026) New UAE mid-term breaks for student well-being Public and private schools following the government curriculum will now enjoy three short breaks during the year: October 13 – 19, 2025: Early break in longest term February 11 – 15, 2026: Mid-year recharge May 25 – 31, 2026: Aligned with Eid Al Adha Private schools not following the government curriculum can schedule October and February breaks of up to five consecutive days, but must keep them within the set months. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, said the calendar serves as a strategic national tool, reinforcing both educational quality and social cohesion. She also noted that consistent holiday dates will enable community, cultural and tourism entities to align their programmes with the academic schedule, strengthening the link between education and society. The MoE stressed that all schools must follow the approved calendar, with teaching, assessments, and curriculum completion continuing until the last day of each term. Private schools following the government curriculum must also adhere to the centralised test schedule used in public schools. UAE School Calendar 2025–2026 at a glance Term / Break Dates Notes Academic Year Starts Aug 25, 2025 All public and private schools Mid-Term Break (Term 1) Oct 13–19 2025 Government curriculum schools Term 1 Ends Dec 7 2025 — Winter Break Dec 8, 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 4 weeks Term 2 Jan 5 –Mar 15, 2026 — Mid-Term Break (Term 2) Feb 11–15 , 2026 Government curriculum schools Spring Break Mar 16–29, 2026 (Sharjah private schools return Mar23) — Term 3 Mar 30 –Jul 3, 2026 (Sharjah ends Jul2 ) — Mid-Term Break (Term 3) May 25–31, 2026 Aligned with Eid Al Adha
Zawya
24-07-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research unveils new calendar for university academic year 2025-2026
Abdulrahman Al Awar: The new academic calendar reflects the Ministry's commitment to creating an integrated university environment that meets student needs, enhances academic life and boosts student performance The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students' well-being United Arab Emirates: Following the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council's approval, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a new academic calendar structure to be implemented across all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) for the academic year 2025-2026, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing the national education system. The new structure introduces key changes to end-of-term holidays to create a more flexible and consistent academic calendar across UAE-based HEIs. Aligned with the 'Year of Community' objectives, the structure aims to foster family cohesion and support students through a balanced distribution of study and break periods. His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, noted that the new academic calendar reflects the Ministry's commitment to creating an integrated university environment that meets student needs, enhances academic life and boosts student performance. His Excellency Dr. Al Awar added: 'This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs. The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students' well-being, community engagement and personal growth.' Under the new structure, the university academic year will start on 25 August 2025, with major holidays aligning with the school calendar. These include a four-week winter break from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, with classes resuming on 5 January 2026, as well as a two-week spring break from 16 to 29 March 2026, with classes resuming on 30 March 2026. The academic year will end on 3 July 2025, offering a clearer and more balanced schedule that supports students' learning and wellbeing. All UAE-based higher education institutions must follow a unified academic year start and end date, with exceptions for international universities aligned with their home calendars. The mandate also allows flexibility in determining the start date of the academic year in line with the requirements of academic programs and specializations at higher education institutions, as well as flexibility in setting the end date of the academic year based on the timing of the summer semesters. While also allowing the flexibility to adjust the holiday dates by up to one week before or after the specified dates, provided the holiday duration remains unchanged. Adoption of the new academic calendar is a strategic move aligned with national efforts to advance higher education by offering a more flexible, high-quality experience that meets students' academic and personal needs. It reflects MoHESR's commitment to fostering an integrated learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential, prepares them for the future and equips them to contribute to national development with the skills and creativity needed across vital fields.
