Schools across the UAE are preparing to close for the summer break on Friday, July 3, 2026, marking the official end of the 2025-2026 academic year for public and private schools regulated by the Ministry of Education. Students and parents in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates have been counting down to the longest holiday of the school calendar.
End of term dates
According to the unified academic calendar approved by the UAE Ministry of Education, the third and final term began on March 30, 2026 and concludes on July 3, 2026. Private schools in Sharjah will close one day earlier, on July 2, 2026, in line with guidance from the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). Dubai private schools regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) also follow the July 3 end date, though individual schools may adjust by a day depending on their specific calendar.
How long is the summer break
Students will have between seven and eight weeks off, depending on their school. Most schools in the UAE will reopen in late August 2026 for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. Some Dubai schools have already confirmed an August 25, 2026 return, while the Ministry of Education calendar lists a return date for public schools at the end of August.
What officials have said
The Ministry of Education has previously emphasised that the unified school calendar is designed to balance instructional time with adequate rest for pupils and teachers. The 2026-2029 calendar framework, announced earlier, keeps the long summer break while trimming the winter and spring midterm holidays so that the academic year remains aligned across emirates.
Planning ahead
Families are reminded that the seasonal breaks and exact term-end dates can vary slightly between schools, with Abu Dhabi schools regulated by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and Dubai private schools by KHDA. Parents are advised to confirm precise dates directly with their childs school before booking summer travel.
The new 2026-2027 academic year is scheduled to begin in late August, with most schools resuming classes by the final week of the month.
Sources
- Gulf News: UAE School Calendar 2025-2026 Explained
- Khaleej Times: UAE 2025-2026 academic calendar
- KHDA: Academic calendar for Dubais private schools
- UAE Ministry of Education academic calendar
