Unified school calendar in UAE streamlines vacation schedules among educational programs for families' convenience
A Unified Academic Calendar Brings Clarity and Convenience to UAE Schools
Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, the UAE will implement a new Unified Academic Calendar for its schools, bringing standardization to the start and end dates, term breaks, and holidays for all public and most private schools under the Ministry of Education curriculum [1][2][3].
The calendar, designed to provide clarity and structure, includes fixed term dates with three mid-term breaks and a four-week winter break, creating a consistent schedule nationwide. For instance, the academic year commences on August 25, 2025, and concludes on July 3, 2026, with specifics such as a winter break from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, and a spring break from March 16 to 29, 2026 [1][3].
One of the primary benefits for families with children in different schools or curriculums is that all schools now follow the same term dates and holidays, allowing parents to plan holidays, travel, and childcare more easily without conflicts caused by differing school schedules [4]. This unified calendar reduces the hassle and supports spending quality time as a family. It also aligns with the UAE's "Year of Community" initiative, fostering greater social connection and balance between education and family life [2][3].
While most schools follow this unified calendar, some international schools with alternative curricula (British, IB, American, Indian) may have slight variations and are advised to check with local authorities like KHDA or ADEK [1]. There are also some opt-outs and circumstantial differences, so not all schools will have exactly the same number of instructional days, but the overall coordination on holidays and term dates is a significant improvement [4].
The new calendar will also simplify the planning of school events, extracurriculars, and community engagement initiatives, making it easier for families to stay in sync. According to Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, GEMS Executive Vice-President, the unified calendar will benefit families by allowing them to plan their holidays and enjoy quality time together without stress [5].
In the written universe of Nandini Sircar, who focuses on education, space, and women's narratives, the new calendar is expected to play a significant role in enabling families to spend more quality time together [6]. Classes will resume on January 5, 2026, according to the new calendar. For schools following the Asian curriculum, such as the Sharjah Indian School, the calendar aligns with the CBSE framework, beginning in April and concluding in March [7].
In conclusion, the Unified Academic Calendar is a step towards standardizing academic schedules nationwide, helping families with children in diverse schools to sync their holidays and better manage family time, travel, and community engagement [1][2][3][4].
- Travel planning will be easier for families with children in various UAE schools, as the new Unified Academic Calendar provides fixed holidays and term dates that align across most schools.
- Educators and journalists focusing on education and self-development, such as Nandini Sircar, believe that the Unified Academic Calendar will facilitate quality family time by simplifying the scheduling of school events and extracurricular activities.
- The announcement of the Unified Academic Calendar has caught the attention of the news media, with general news outlets reporting on its benefits for education, family life, and community engagement.
