UAE Ministry of Education Approves Academic Calendar for 2026-2027
📋 Key Takeaway: The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the official academic calendar for public and private schools for the 2026-2027 academic year, outlining important dates including breaks and exam periods.
Key Dates for the Academic Year
The Ministry of Education (MoE) in the UAE has officially approved the academic calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year, applicable to both public and private schools following the ministry curriculum. The academic year is set to commence on August 31, 2026, for students, while administrative and teaching staff will begin their duties on August 24, 2026.
The calendar outlines significant breaks throughout the year. The winter break for students is scheduled to start on December 14, 2026, and for teaching and administrative staff on December 21, 2026. The spring break is planned for April 5, 2027, for both students and teaching staff, with the academic year concluding on July 2, 2027, for students and July 16, 2027, for teaching staff.
Exams and Holidays
Mid-term breaks are also included, with students scheduled to have a break from October 12 to 16, 2026. The end-of-first-semester exams will take place from November 25 to 27, 2026. Significant holidays include the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which will be observed from March 8 to 12, 2027, and the Eid Al-Adha holiday from May 15 to 18, 2027.
Additionally, the Hijri New Year holiday is set for June 6, 2027. The end-of-third-semester exams are scheduled from June 21 to 30, 2027. The academic calendar indicates that the first semester will consist of 13 weeks totaling 67 days, the second semester will have 12 weeks totaling 60 days, and the third semester will include 58 days, culminating in a total of 185 school days for the academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the academic year 2026-2027 start in the UAE?
The academic year starts on August 31, 2026, for students.
What are the key holidays during the 2026-2027 academic year?
Key holidays include Eid Al-Fitr from March 8-12, 2027, and Eid Al-Adha from May 15-18, 2027.
How many school days are there in the 2026-2027 academic year?
There are a total of 185 school days in the academic year.
When will the end-of-first-semester exams take place?
The end-of-first-semester exams are scheduled for November 25-27, 2026.
