The United Arab Emirates has approved the school calendar for the next three academic years, giving families and educators a clear schedule through 2029 while introducing sweeping changes to how the national curriculum will be governed.
The UAE Ministry of Education released term dates for public and private schools across the country, including Abu Dhabi, covering the 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 academic years.
For 2026–2027, the school year will begin on Aug. 31, 2026, with a mid-term break from Oct. 12–18. Winter break will run from Dec. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, followed by a spring break from April 5–11. The academic year will end on July 2, 2027.
The 2027–2028 school year will start on Aug. 30, 2027, and conclude on June 30, 2028. Mid-term break is scheduled for Oct. 11–17, 2027, winter break from Dec. 13, 2027, to Jan. 2, 2028, and spring break from March 27 to April 2, 2028.
For 2028–2029, classes will begin on Aug. 26, 2028, and end on June 29, 2029. Students will have a mid-term break from Oct. 16–22, 2028, winter break from Dec. 11, 2028, to Jan. 1, 2029, and spring break from March 26 to April 1, 2029.
The early release of multi-year calendars provides families with greater certainty for travel, childcare and long-term planning, particularly in a country with a large expatriate population that often coordinates school holidays with international schedules.
The announcement comes alongside a new federal decree law establishing a comprehensive framework to govern the national educational curriculum. According to the government, the legislation sets rules for how curricula are designed, approved and reviewed for all schools operating under the national system.
The law defines educational objectives, language of instruction, class duration, graduate attributes and the integration of national identity and social values into coursework. Schools will implement the curriculum and participate in pilot programs, while local education authorities will monitor compliance, including in compulsory private schools.
The move marks the first time the UAE has introduced a unified legislative structure to oversee curriculum standards nationwide. Education has been a central pillar of the country’s long-term development strategy, with authorities seeking to align learning outcomes with labor market needs and global competitiveness.
As the new calendar takes effect and curriculum reforms roll out, schools and parents are likely to see gradual adjustments in lesson content and assessment standards over the coming years.
