Parents in the UAE often plan their lives around their children’s school schedules, factoring in term breaks, national holidays, rainy days and changes in timings during Ramadan. And 2025 has been no different.
In August, the Ministry of Education announced a new calendar for the academic year 2025-2026 for public and private schools across the UAE, effective from August 25.
“The first term will end with a four-week winter break from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, with schools resuming on January 5, 2026,” states the UAE Ministry of Education website. “This extended break offers students time to recharge after an intensive term and engage in national and community activities.”
Christopher Seeley, principal at Dove Green Private School in Dubai, notes: “The revised calendar brings greater consistency between schools offering different international curricula, while still protecting teaching time and statutory requirements. Feedback from parents has been mixed. Many understand the rationale for the change, and some families have welcomed the longer winter break, particul
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