Okay parents, deep breaths. School might be on a summer snooze right now, but the Ministry of Education has dropped a little “plot twist” for next year — a brand-new unified school calendar for 2025/26. And yes, it applies to both public and private schools across the UAE (thank you, KHDA, for confirming this before WhatsApp parent groups went into meltdown mode).
So, what’s new? The academic year kicks off Monday, August 25, 2025. That’s the day kids go from Netflix marathons back to math homework, so mark it in bold red on your calendar. This shiny new schedule has been rolled out as part of the Ministry’s “Year of Community” — which basically means everyone’s singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to school dates. Translation: no more arguments with your bestie about whose kid’s spring break is when.
The Main Holidays (a.k.a. Parent Survival Points)
Here’s the quick-and-cheerful breakdown:
- Start of Academic Year: Monday, August 25, 2025
- Winter Break: Starts Monday, December 8, 2025
- Back to Class (Post-Winter Break): Monday, January 5, 2026
- Spring Break: Starts Monday, March 16, 2026
- Back to Class (Spring Break Edition): Monday, March 30, 2026
- MoE Schools Spring Break Return: Monday, April 13, 2026 (yep, a slightly longer break — lucky them)
- End of Academic Year: Not before Friday, July 3, 2026
Mid-Term Breaks (Finally, Some Breathing Space)
This is where the new calendar gets spicy. For the first time, mid-term breaks have been officially built in for government-curriculum schools — and private schools are getting nudged to fall in line. The big three are:
- First Mid-Term: Oct 13 – Oct 19, 2025
- Second Mid-Term: Feb 11 – Feb 15, 2026
- Third Mid-Term: May 25 – May 31, 2026 (this one cozies up with Eid Al Adha)
Private schools outside the government curriculum? You still get your breaks in October and February, but keep them under five days. No funny business with extensions, either — the Ministry has spoken.
What This Means for Families
Translation: parents can finally plan holidays without playing detective across a dozen different school websites. Want to book that December ski trip or lock in a beach staycation for spring? Do it now before prices skyrocket.
Oh, and pro tip — while these are the official dates, your child’s school might sprinkle in their own tiny adjustments. Best bet? Double-check with the school directly before you start packing those bags.
So there you go — the 2025/26 UAE school calendar in all its glory. Print it, frame it, tattoo it if you must. Because let’s be real: between mid-terms, breaks, and Eid, parents are going to be living by this calendar more religiously than the kids live by TikTok trends.
