UAE back to school 2026: Live updates as record 1.27 million students return to classrooms

From yellow school buses on UAE roads to excited children walking through school gates, the 2026–27 academic year has got off to a lively start. Across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, students have reunited with friends, met new teachers and settled into new classrooms. For some younger children, Monday marked their very first day of school, while several others returned for Term 2 after the summer break.

The first day brought plenty of memorable moments, with colourful welcomes, music, dance, photo booths, flowers, bubbles, chocolates and cheerful placards adding to the excitement. Proud parents were also on hand to capture the special moments.

With more than 1.277 million students returning to classrooms across the UAE, this year’s back-to-school moment is especially significant following disruptions caused by regional developments last academic year.

Here is how Gulf News reporters and photographers captured the sights and sounds of the phased return.

Schools in the UAE have reopened following the exceptional circumstances of the previous academic year due to regional developments.

There is something particularly meaningful about beginning this new chapter together following the exceptional circumstances of the previous academic year, said Chandini Misra, Principal of Repton Al Barsha.

“It’s wonderful to welcome our students and families back to Repton Al Barsha. Our focus is on giving students the confidence, stability and opportunity to look forward, reconnect and fully embrace the year ahead. It is also exciting to see families experiencing the enhancements across the campus, which reflect our continued commitment to creating the very best learning environment for our students.”

She said families are also returning to an enhanced campus, with improvements including a refurbished main reception and parent café, a redesigned Junior School Library overlooking the quad, and a transformed Assembly Hall now serving as a dedicated auditorium.

Schools across the UAE have welcomed students back for either the new academic year or the new term after the summer break, with students and educators drawing inspiration from an address by the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to students across the nation.

At Credence High School in Dubai, the message was shared with students as they returned to campus for Term 2 after their summer break.

Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO and Principal of Credence High School, said: “His Highness affectionately called students his own children, congratulating them, their teachers and parents on the new academic year, and encouraging them to embrace reading, continuous learning and a strong sense of national identity. He spoke of a changing world full of new opportunities and the importance of acquiring future skills while using AI and technology responsibly and called upon parents and teachers to work together in nurturing creative, conscious generations who love and take pride in their homeland. At Credence, we were deeply moved to share this message with our students today, and it will continue to be resurfaced through the year on our classroom screens and communication channels,” she added.

Arcadia Global School in Dubai has welcomed students back for the new academic year with a strong focus on optimism, ambition and continuous improvement.

Founding Principal Andrew Wilson said the school’s team had worked hard to ensure students returned to a safe, happy and supportive environment, ready to learn. He said the school’s focus goes beyond academic achievement, with students also encouraged to grow in character.

“At AGS, we want our students to grow not only academically, but also in character. As a school, we are always striving to get better, because the race to excellence has no finish line,” Wilson said.

He also thanked the school community for embracing the AGS Values and urged students, families and staff to support one another and continue striving for improvement throughout the year.

Glen Radojkovich, Managing Director UAE, Cognita Group that manages several schools in the UAE including the Repton schools, said: “There is a real sense of excitement across our Cognita schools as students and families begin this new academic year. The continued confidence shown by parents and educators is incredibly encouraging and reflects the strength of our school communities and the UAE as a nation.

This year, in particular, brings a renewed appreciation for being together in school and for the relationships that underpin our thriving communities. Our focus is on strengthening connections with students, working in close partnership with parents and ensuring every child feels supported, engaged and ready to thrive.”

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi has welcomed students and families back for the start of the new academic year, with Principal Sarah Matthews describing the first day as a time for friends to reconnect and new bonds to be formed.

“It is a joy to welcome families back today, refreshed and ready for the new academic year. There is a special energy on the first day,” Matthews said.

She added that she was looking forward to working closely with parents to nurture students’ talents and help them thrive, saying the school’s opportunities and possibilities for the year ahead are “endless”.

Several schools across the country began a phased return, as announced by the Ministry of Education.

At Yas American Academy in Abu Dhabi, more than 500 Pre-KG and primary students returned today and more than 1,300 secondary students are set to join them tomorrow.

Principal Lee W. Dabagia Jr said the school is also welcoming almost 200 new-joiner families this year. Staff have spent the past three weeks preparing the campus and getting ready to welcome students back.

“This year, we’re going to focus on teaching through kindness, reflection and respect, while making sure students have a voice and feel that they are being heard,” Dabagia said.

He added that the school will encourage students to think critically by asking questions and explaining the reasoning behind their answers.

The first day has brought an “exciting” atmosphere to campus, with students and parents enthusiastic about the start of the new academic year.

Several young children also started preschool at nurseries across the UAE on Monday, marking the beginning of their first school experiences. At the branch of Jumeirah International Nurseries in The Greens, tiny tots enjoyed a cheerful first day as they met their teachers, explored their new surroundings and began making new friends.

“We met our amazing teachers, made new friends, explored our new surroundings and started creating beautiful memories together. Here’s to a magical new academic year filled with learning, laughter and lots of adventures!” said Grace Thorpe, Head of Early Years at Jumeirah International Nurseries, The Greens.

Students at The English College in Dubai kicked off the new academic year in style, sporting sunglasses decorated with fun back-to-school messages. “Back To School”, “EC First Day” and “2026–2027” were among the messages adding a playful touch to the first-day celebrations.

Students also posed for photographs with handheld photo booth placards featuring messages expressing their love for the UAE. Smiles, laughter and excitement filled the campus as students reunited with friends and got ready for the year ahead.

A cheerful first-day moment at Reach British School in Dubai, where a father can be seen cheering on his son as he proudly holds up an “I love school” placard. The sweet moment captured the excitement and positivity surrounding the start of the new academic year.

“It’s fantastic to be back for the new school year. Following another year of record exam results, we’re excited to build on that progress while ensuring our students enjoy coming to school, feel inspired to learn and continue to succeed,” said Craig Halsall, Principal of Reach British School.

Halsall added that the new term offers an opportunity to build on the school’s academic progress while keeping students’ experience of learning at the heart of the year ahead.

At Regent International School, Dubai, the school’s mascot Regent Raptor brought in smiles as it welcomed young children to the campus.

The smiles and laughter of parents and children lit up the campus, filling every corner of the school with joy.

The first day back is in full swing across the FS1, FS2 and Year 1 classrooms at Hampton Heights International School in Dubai, where teachers are keeping the youngest pupils busy with a mix of fun, creative and engaging activities.

From singing and play to colouring and music classes, the first week is focused on helping children ease back into the school routine after the long summer break — while keeping them energised, motivated and excited to learn.

Nourin Fatima, activity coordinator at Hampton Heights International School, said one of the highlights of the first day back is seeing students reconnect with their teachers and friends.

“The best part of the first day back to school is seeing all the happy families dropping off their kids, seeing the kids excited to be back at school, waving and hugging their teachers, and excited to see their friends. That’s the first part,” she said.

While the first day may look effortless for families, teachers have been preparing for weeks to ensure students return to a positive and engaging environment.

“We get training for both old and new teachers. This covers how to create lesson plans for the new semester, what engaging activities we should have during the first week back to school, and understanding how to make sure kids transition from that holiday mindset to learning,” Fatima said.

The focus, she added, is on making the return to school feel exciting rather than overwhelming, helping students ease back into routines while reconnecting with the people and activities they enjoy.

For Ankhi Ganesh, the start of the new school year has brought a milestone she has long looked forward to — seeing her children in school uniforms.

“It was my dream that my children should have uniforms because all of them have been studying all over the world,” said Ganesh, whose family has lived and studied across Southeast Asia, Africa and Canada.

While she praised the education her children have received in different countries, Ganesh said uniforms were something she felt was often missing.

“In all of the schools, I think education is amazing, but one of the primary things that is missing or lacking is uniforms,” she said.

For Ganesh, the appeal goes beyond appearance. She believes uniforms can provide consistency for children at a time when social media can add pressure to look or behave a certain way.

“I think that creates a lot of consistency in today’s world, especially with social media and things out there,” she said. “Young minds are getting so much pressure to look a certain way, be a certain way, and not everybody is capable at this tender age of having a very balanced thought process on how to approach this topic.”

The family is also beginning its first academic year in the UAE after moving from Canada. Ganesh said the school’s IB curriculum was a major attraction, particularly as it was something her children had not experienced before.

“We are from Canada and we are really excited because, first of all, it’s an IB curriculum that we haven’t explored before for our children’s education,” she said.

After researching schools online, the family felt confident about its choice, with Ganesh praising the school’s reviews, activities and curriculum. “So, the future looks bright.”

At Aspen Heights British School, Abu Dhabi, students are back on campus after the summer holidays, with classrooms ready and teachers excited to welcome them for a new year of learning, growth and discovery.

“We are thrilled to welcome our Aspen Heights family back together for another year of learning, growth and discovery. Our classrooms are ready, our teachers are excited and we cannot wait to see our students back on campus. Here’s to a year filled with new opportunities, friendships and achievements,” said the principal, Gillian Hammond.

Year 7 boys at Sunmarke School in Dubai are stepping into the new academic year with plenty of excitement, ready for new experiences, friendships and adventures. For many, the move into a new year brings a sense of anticipation as they settle into fresh routines and look ahead to the year.

A group of boys from different nationalities were all smiles as they marked the start of the school year together. Their first-day moments capture the excitement of returning to school and reconnecting with friends while getting ready for what lies ahead.

Regent International School, Dubai, has welcomed students and families back for the start of the new academic year, with the school buzzing with excitement on the first day.

“It has been fantastic to welcome our students and families back to Regent International School today. There is always such a special energy around school on the first day, and seeing our classrooms and corridors full again has been a brilliant reminder of what makes our school community so special. We are incredibly excited about the year ahead,” said David Williams, Principal of Regent International School.

The new academic year at The English College begins on a high note following a strong set of examination results over the summer. The school recorded a GCSE value-added score of +1.76 and an A Level value-added score of +1.17, indicating that students, on average, achieved more than a full grade above their expected outcomes based on their starting points, according to the principal, Emily Hopkinson.

“There is something incredibly special about welcoming the community from The English College back together for the start of a new school year. We are equally excited to welcome new students, families and colleagues and look forward to building on this success in the year ahead,” she added.

Arsen Atabekov, a new drama and music teacher at Hampton Heights International School, is starting the academic year with a passion for music and a desire to share it with his students.

A saxophonist from Uzbekistan, Atabekov was previously part of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan. He said he hopes to help students discover how deeply music can influence their lives, emotions and understanding of the world.

“I want to share my passion for music with children and make them understand that music is all around them and how it can shape their lives and emotions and teach them a deeper meaning. I’m mainly a jazz performer, but also a teacher, and I think music is such an integral part of life but is also the least understood. Once you study it, you understand it more deeply.”

Adding a playful touch to his first day, Atabekov dressed up as Russell from Disney’s Up.

“It was fun dressing up and many of the kids understood the character and were having fun. It’s a fun ice breaker, especially if you are a new teacher.”

For some families, the excitement of the new academic year comes with an entirely new experience: starting formal school for the first time.

Amir Abdel is among the parents navigating that transition, with his daughter Samya moving on from nursery into her first year of school.

“We are complete newbies. Excitement. New challenges and commitment,” Adel said, describing the mix of emotions that comes with reaching this milestone as a family.

While Samya has already had experience in a classroom environment, moving on from nursery is a new beginning, one of many. Abdel said the family is particularly looking forward to seeing how she develops and takes on new learning opportunities.

“It might be new for her mother. My daughter Samya was a class lead in nursery so now we are looking forward to see how she will learn more now in her first year,” he said.

Ashmee Lamba, vice principal of Hampton Heights International School, said preparations specifically for the first day of school began on August 10, when overseas teachers arrived in the UAE.

“The preparation started from 10th of August when my overseas teachers landed in the country. We had induction for them, prepared them and provided training on the ethics and culture of the UAE. The teachers prepared their classrooms and coursework weeks before, so the first day is smooth,” she said.

The school has recorded a 95 per cent attendance rate on the first day, with a staggered approach to students returning.

“We have a 95 per cent attendance rate for the school. As of now, it’s not 100 per cent. We have had a staggered approach to reopening, so we expect a few more students to come tomorrow. We are not expecting everybody to return back for the first day,” Lamba said.

Adding to the cheerful atmosphere, Lamba joined several teachers and staff in dressing up as popular cartoon and storybook characters. She chose Snow White for the occasion.

“It’s just a fun way to start the first day back to school. It makes the kids feel more upbeat,” she said.

Students at North Gate British Private School are taught the Ministry of Education subjects along two separate tracks, depending on whether they are Arab or non-Arab.

Gihan Ahmed Mohamed Mansour, the school's Head of MOE, laid out the split. Arabic A is for Arab pupils and Arabic B for non-Arabic speakers. Islamic studies is taught in two versions, one for Arab students and one for non-Arabs. Social studies goes to the Arab cohort, while non-Arab pupils take moral, social and cultural studies.

The point of separating them is that the classes can move at the level each group actually needs. "We are not only counting on what is in the syllabus," Mansour said. "We adapt the curriculum to suit the need of the students."

That levelling carries into the digital tools. The guided reading platform used in Arabic is banded, so a student is placed at their own reading level rather than working through the same text as everyone else in the room.

In Islamic studies, a platform called Islamic Treasure lets students recite the Quran and be marked against set criteria, with certificates awarded as they progress. "It gives the students a certificate to encourage them to enhance their level," said Mansour. They also use a platform called Alif for Arabic reading till year 12.

The new school year is also bringing fresh ideas into the primary classrooms, with teachers focusing on how they can build connections with students and create a supportive environment from the very beginning.

During a visit to two primary classrooms, teachers shared their plans and visions for the year ahead, including ways they hope to understand their students and help them develop both socially and emotionally.

For Reza Marie Beloy, a class teacher for the first years, that begins with imagining each new group of students as a blank canvas.

“For me I want to do a vision for children, imagine that they are in a white room. When I snap my fingers my students are in the classroom. Snap. I have my group of students I know nothing about,” she said.

Beloy said this is also about understanding each child as an individual and creating a sense of belonging within the classroom.

And that’s how she nurtures the nature of child. "I want to connect to them. I want to create a community of care and see them in their nature.”

Meanwhile, Manuela Lupu highlighted the importance of developing social skills among primary school children this year.

“We want to develop social skills, talking to them and helping them imagine situations,” she said.

The new academic year marks a first for Steve Farish, who is beginning his first year as Principal of Smart Vision School in Dubai. The start of the school year also coincides with the opening of new facilities at the school.

“Returning to school always brings a real sense of excitement and possibility, and this year is particularly special as I begin my first academic year as Principal of Smart Vision School,” said Farish.

“My focus is on ensuring every child has the opportunity to discover their strengths, build confidence and achieve more than they thought possible.”

Mark Pollitt, principal of Hampton Heights International School Dubai said child wellbeing will remain a key priority as the school begins the new academic year, alongside supporting its staff.

“For us, child wellbeing is our priority and also our staff. If our kids feel safe and happy at school, everything falls into place. A happy child is an academically stronger child. If it’s not good for our own kids, it’s not good for our students. That philosophy guides every action, from recruitment to policies. We have a great counselling team, and we want to ensure every child loves being here. They are spending six hours with us and we need to ensure they feel happy, confident and open to us.”

Pollitt said teachers are also focusing on helping students ease back into learning after the summer break, with more activities planned during the first week.

“They spent the whole summer playing, staying up late and having fun, so getting them interested in the classroom requires a different approach. That’s why a lot of our teachers are focused on activities, especially during the first week, to help them transition.”

Preparation for the new academic year began months ago, with the school opening nine additional classes, introducing new facilities and recruiting teachers internationally to support its growing student body.

Every child who walked through the gates this morning at North Gate British Private School in Ajman, has a tree planted in their name, somewhere between UAE, Thailand and Uganda.

The scheme is called Green Sadaqah: Forest Beyond Borders, run in partnership with EcoMatcher, and Dr Ashique Vadakkuveettil, the school's sustainability officer, explained how it works. "Every student, every staff and every teacher in our school will have a tree, planted in their name, even after they leave from here," he said.

The tracking is the part students are excited. Each tree is logged on a blockchain platform, and children can follow it for the next ten years: where it is, who planted it, how tall it has grown, the biodiversity around it and how much carbon it has absorbed.

EcoMatcher is a certified B Corporation that plants through vetted foundations and NGOs and records every tree on a blockchain system called TreeChain. Its platform pulls in satellite mapping to pin each tree's exact location and introduces the farmer looking after it.

There are 3,000 trees in total, split into three forests. The UAE trees are going into the mangrove forest at Al Zorah Nature Reserve in Ajman, a short drive from the campus. The spread across countries is deliberate.

"It's not just individual responsibility. It's like a shared responsibility. What I'm doing here, it will benefit people all around the world," Vadakkuveettil said. The three sites were chosen for their different landscapes and climates.

The name comes from the Islamic concept of sadaqah jariya, or continuous charity. "If you do some charity that gives you back forever, that is considered continuous charity," he said. "So even a tree comes under that. Because it's not just the tree. I mean, the birds, animals, even people who take shade under that tree, all these things will be considered a charity."

The idea came from the school's managing director, who asked Vadakkuveettil to find a way to give a tree for every admission.

It is free for the students and staff, and parents at North Gate. Once the current 3,000 trees are done, the plan is to open it up to the group's other schools.

It’s a #FirstDayTogether for students at Dubai International Academy (DIA) Town Square, DIA’s third campus in Dubai. Students marked their first day with smiles and photo booth placards as they settled into their new school.

For the 2026–27 academic year, DIA Town Square is welcoming students from Pre-K to Grade 8. The school will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, beginning with the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme, with plans to expand to the Diploma and Career-related Programmes.

The return to school has brought a sense of excitement for Steffani Williams, who said the atmosphere has been particularly positive as students settle back into the classroom.

“It has been very exciting to have the students back, the children seem happy and we are just waiting to get started for the new year,” said Williams.

For Williams, however, this academic year also marks a personal change. Having taught Year 3 last year, she has taken on a new role as the Primary Years Programme (PYP) coordinator, bringing a different set of responsibilities and a broader perspective across the primary section.

“Last year, I was Year 3, and now I am the PYP coordinator,” she said.

Speaking about what lies ahead, Williams acknowledged that there is plenty of change and activity on the horizon. The school is also beginning the year with new leadership in its primary section, at GEMS World Abu Dhabi.

“There is a lot going on this year, and there is a new head of primary,” Williams said.

With students now back and a new academic year underway, as the teachers note, it is a period of fresh starts, new responsibilities and changes in leadership as the school prepares for the year ahead.

“As we welcome our founding students to Raffles World Academy Sharjah, we are beginning a very special journey together. Families can look forward to a high-quality, future-focused education, a strong sense of community and a school where every child is known, valued and inspired to thrive. This is just the beginning, and we are excited to rise, wonder, achieve and shine together,” said Dr Armeena Tabassum - Principal Raffles World Academy Sharjah which opened in Sharjah’s Aljada community on Monday.

For one new student at Hampton Heights International School Dubai, the first day has been a mix of excitement and a few first-day nerves.

As a newcomer to the school, the student said they were unsure what to expect, but quickly felt more comfortable after meeting their new classmates and making a few friends.

“I’m a little nervous and excited because it’s my first day at this school. I didn’t know what to expect, but everyone in my class has been really friendly,” Rena Sharma, said.

“I’ve already made a few friends, which makes me feel happy. My class is really friendly and everyone has been nice to me.”

“I’m excited to see my new friends and learn new things. I think I’m going to have a really good year,” the student added.

Classmates Yunus Majid and Hayyam Abid, at North Gate British Private School in Ajman, came back to Year 9 this morning with their GCSE subjects picked and a summer behind them in two different countries.

Yunus went home to Scotland. "I went back to my home country, the United Kingdom, had a fun time there," he said. "I feel like I really want to go back." He moved to the UAE last year, and says the homesickness fades. "I guess. But you get used to it," he said when asked if he misses it.

Hayyam spent the break in Pakistan. "We played paddle, we played cricket, we had sleepovers. We visited all our like family, and then we came back," he said. There was a Burj Khalifa trip in there too.

Maths is the common ground. "I really like doing maths," Yunus said, adding that PE gives him a break after a long lesson. "At the time of PE, you're kind of like opening your mind up a bit."

For Hayyam it is maths and science, and a serious Formula One habit. He built a car for a schools competition, made a large F1 wing at home, and has been to the Grand Prix. Max Verstappen is his favourite driver. His ambitions are split down the middle. "It's my dream to become a race engineer," he said. "But I have another dream, because I'm 50-50 on it. I want to become a cardiologist as well."

Yunus is aiming at electrical engineering. "I like working with physical tech. I think it's quite fun and interesting," he said. "It's kind of like a puzzle sometimes. It helps work on your creativity."

Their advice to pupils struggling to settle

Yunus went straight to friendship. "If you're alone, you're not gonna feel like motivated to do a lot of stuff unless that's your personality. I think having friends is a key for motivation," he said. His second tip is a mindset shift: treat it as your own school rather than somewhere your parents dropped you, and be friendly with the teachers.

Hayyam's answer was about keeping learning going outside the classroom. He does extra maths with his mother and his older brother, who is studying A-levels, and picks up Arabic and reading on the human body on the side.

Both are looking ahead to what the GCSE courses actually feel like now they have started. "Since we picked our GCSE subjects, we're doing their courses now. I wanna see if that's for me, really," Yunus said.

Primary school children begin to enter at 9 am at Abu Dhabi GEMS World Academy. It is a grand welcome of sorts, a red carpet, with piano instrumentals, and different photo boards where parents and children enjoy taking photos. We spoke to twins Anaira and Amaira Kaur Chamdal, posing against the wishboard. What are they most excited about? "To play," they say, before getting shy and running away.

Mr Mark Pollitt, principal of Hampton International School, Dubai, gave students a fun surprise on their first day back by dressing up as the school’s mascot, Sami the Little Camel.

Pollitt said the character has a special connection to the school community, after he wrote a children’s book about Sami earlier this year.

“I wrote a children’s book about Sami the Camel this year in March while the schools were under distance learning. Every Friday, we have a reading of the book with the kids. Me being dressed up as the camel just makes the first day of school more fun and light-hearted for the kids.”

A happy, hopeful welcome at Abu Dhabi World Gems Academy: Ahilya Nair plays with bubbles on her first day back as her mother watches nearby.

Zacch Godoy, a Year 8 student at Hampton Heights International School Dubai, is starting the new academic year with plenty of excitement and a few goals he hopes to achieve along the way.

“My favourite subject is computer technology, so I want to get better at that. I also want to improve my Arabic and hopefully speak it more fluently. I’m excited to see a lot of my classmates. I’m also starting a new year, so I’m a little nervous but happy.”

For Godoy, the first day back is a mix of excitement and anticipation as he looks forward to seeing friends, getting back into the classroom and working towards his goals for the year.

It’s a #FirstDayFabulous start for students at the newly opened Raffles World Academy Sharjah (RWAS) in the Aljada community. Mehrunissa Sidik, Grade 5, and Zainab Hasham, Grade 4, marked the occasion with customised photo booth placards, beaming with excitement as they began their journey at the new school.

RWAS is welcoming students from Pre-K to Grade 8 in its first year, with plans to expand year on year. The school, run by Innoventures Education, will offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, alongside a US High School Diploma pathway in the senior years.

At GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi, fellow school volunteer Nada Fathima joins Shipra Sharma in talking about her excitement for the new year. New year, new projects, new teacher, what's not to be excited about? She also shares her nervousness for the upcoming GCSE exams that are in November.

In a Year 6 classroom, the first exercise of the year was not a lesson at all.

Form teacher Cynthia Nakayenga, of North Gate British Private School in Ajman, who also teaches IT and computing, ran a mental check-in with her class before anything else got underway, asking students to raise their hands if they were feeling anxious.

Shipra Sharma, who is the member of the student council at GEMS World Academy is very happy to be back. "I am part of the student council, so I am really excited to help students and I am really looking forward to this year." She adds that she has her IGCSE this year. "A lot of pressure but we are going to get through it."

Ammar Kheir and Valsala Visno have bittersweet emotions about their daughter Maya's first day at school. As they say, she is most excited about making friends in school. "She is very social."

North Gate British Private School in Ajman has a role that many schools do not: a restorative behaviour teacher, working mainly with the secondary boys. Mahmood Fida has been in post before this academic year and describes the job as spending his days building trust with the students

"It's really the energy with the students which we get, and it helps them, that we show them the way, how to behave, how things work in the life," Fida said.

His approach starts with a question rather than a sanction. He gave the example of a Year 10 boy acting up in class, and said the first job is to work out what has changed rather than to reach for a punishment. That means a conversation: was he like this before, and what has happened since?

"Most time we see that he's misbehaving. But we need to find the reason why is he? Because he's just a child. He doesn't know so many things," he said. "Maybe he's confused. He wants to explore himself."

When a teacher raises a concern, Fida sits down with the student and asks how it started, why it occurred, and what would actually help.

He is clear that the discipline side is only half the brief. As he put it, there are two kinds of behaviour and the school works on both, which means the good is recognised as much as the difficult. He would like to see the role adopted more widely, and said he would encourage other schools to bring in someone doing the same work.

For parents wondering where to take a query, Fida pointed them first to reception, where designated staff handle parental concerns, with subject teachers reachable directly by email for questions about how a child is doing in a particular class.

"To the parents, I'll say that we focus on your child in every way, and we support him in every situation, every way which he needs help," he said.

Asked to name a standout student, he refused. "If you go by the list, there are thousands. They're so lovely, they're so sweet," said Fida. "This is the age to explore themselves."

Four-year old Maya Kheir has been waiting to start school. She tells us shyly she wants to make friends and play. And what does she want to be when she grows up? Taller. And a doctor. Her parents, Ammar Kheir and Valsala Visno say that they have been preparing her for months about school. They are confident: She likes to socialise and be with people.

Who said the first day back at school had to be boring? A Year 2 classroom at Hampton Heights International School Dubai kicked off the new academic year with upbeat dancing, movement and exercises to get students energised and ready for the day ahead.

“I wanted them to get started on the first day back to school with some fun and excitement. They’ve just come back from a long break, so they might not be ready to go straight into their subjects. For the first day back, I’ve mainly planned a lot of activities to get them energised,” said Rose Danez, the Year 2 homeroom teacher.

Glambot for students to mark their first day back to school at North Gate British Private School, in Ajman, a feature that the parents and students have been using to capture their memories.

Students at Pakistan Education Academy Dubai campus after school as UAE resumed classes after the summer break.

Students arrive at Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai campus after the summer break.

Morris Carreal, a new Year 4 teacher at Hampton Heights International School Dubai, is starting his first academic year at the school. Originally from the Philippines, he is excited to meet his students and get to know them as they begin a new school year.

Dressed as Pikachu for the first day, Carreal brought plenty of energy to the classroom and helped create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for his students.

“It’s really exciting to start a new school year and meet my students. I wanted to make the first day fun for them and help them feel comfortable in their new classroom. I’m looking forward to getting to know each of them and having a great year together,” he said.

Peter John Amata is starting his first academic year as a Year 4 teacher at Hampton Heights International School in Dubai. It is also his first time living and working in the UAE, and he said he is excited to get to know his new students and help them settle into the year ahead.

Dressed as Woody from Toy Story for the first day, Amata said the focus was on making students feel comfortable and excited about returning to school.

“It’s my first time in the UAE and it’s really exciting. Right now, I’m just introducing myself to the class and getting to know the kids. Since this is a new academic year and they are starting a new grade, we just want to help the kids get adjusted to their new grade.”

Several other teachers at the school have also dressed up as popular cartoon characters, adding a fun and lively touch to the first day back.

A fresh start brings nervous energy and that's a good thing: "I am more excited about a fresh start,” said Benn Richards, Head of Year 4 at GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi.

Speaking about welcoming students back after the summer break, Richards said many children return after spending a long time away. “It is always such a refreshing period where everyone comes in with new, exciting thoughts and feelings. There is always nervous energy, and I find that motivating.”

He said that nervousness also helped him build a connection with students who were new to him. “It helps me get to know the children, because likewise, I relate to them through nervousness, because we don’t know each other. I like putting them at ease.”

As Head of Year, Richards said his role also comes with a wider responsibility across all the Year 4 classes. “My responsibility is for language, spelling, science and maths, just the IB curriculum, really.”

Students are arriving at Yas American Academy on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as the new academic year gets under way.

Samah, whose son Mohammed is starting Year 2, was up early to get him ready for the new academic year.

“I woke up at 5am to prepare his lunch box. His uniform and backpack were ready the night before. The first day back can be quite stressful, but also really exciting. It’s a fresh start, and it’s lovely to see the children so happy to be back and ready to see their friends and teachers. It’s also a little hard to say goodbye because you’ve had them at home for almost two months, but it’s nice to see them getting back into their routine and enjoying school again.”

Students at Pakistan Education Academy in Dubai are being welcomed back with a splash of colour and plenty of sweetness. Staff are painting heart emojis on the backs of students’ hands, while chocolate bars are also being handed out as a warm welcome to students returning after the summer break.

In Year 1 class 1C, of North Gate British Private School, Ajman, the children filing through the door this morning are meeting their teacher for the first time. Juhi Varma is meeting them for the first time as well.

"I have different kind of children with different nationalities in my classroom," she said. Some arrived in tears, others settled quickly and went straight for the activity stations set up around the room, which run from colour matching to upper case and lower case letters.

"They are entering as it's their first day and I am their teacher. They don't know me. It's a totally new day, so let's see how it goes," said Varma.

Her plan for the morning is a simple one. "I'll be just supporting all of them, to just engage them in the activities, to know about them. They should know about me."

Asked how she handles the separation anxiety that comes with day one, she pointed to one little girl in particular. "Some of the children are crying, not much. I have one girl, so I need to sit with her. I have to make her happy. I'll be just asking her why she cry," Varma said. The answer, she thinks, will be homesickness, and the fix will be a colouring and decorating task absorbing enough to take the child's mind off it.

She is not short of enthusiasm for the year ahead. "I am really excited, as every year I get a lot of different children. This year this is a new class, I'm totally first time I'm meeting them," she said.

Abhishek and Shyla Verma have just dropped off their daughter, Shyla, who is starting FS1 and joining the school for the first time.

“We are really excited and a little nervous because she is new to school, but she’s more excited than us to make new friends and start at her new school. We’re also happy to get back into a routine after almost two months of summer break.”

We are very excited to welcome back our existing students and our new students to the school. It has been a really busy summer, and we have all been getting ready,” said Shahina Ahmad, OBE, Executive Principal and CEO.

Speaking about the changes made over the summer, Ahmad said the school had also opened a new building with specialist facilities for secondary students. “We listened to what the community had to say and put family first. So parent voice, student voice and staff voice are important to us.”

She said this feedback had also led to changes in the school day, with a slightly later start and finish. “We have many activities before the school starts and afterwards too,” she said.

On the school’s wider educational priorities, Ahmad said building character remained a key focus. “Our mission and aim is to deliver education for global positive change.”

Another major development this year is the introduction of an AI curriculum, which Ahmad said would be rolled out through an extracurricular approach.

Addressing concerns parents may have about the ongoing conflict in the region, she said: “Obviously, there will be parents who will be apprehensive about the impact of the conflict. Our safety zone exists, and we have shelter-in-place procedures.”

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated students, teachers, administrators and parents as the new academic year begins. Calling children the nation's “true wealth”, he encouraged students to embrace learning with optimism and ambition, while urging families and schools to work together to build future skills and reinforce values.

Police officers are managing traffic around the school zone in Sharjah’s Muweileh area as students return to classrooms for the new academic year. Traffic is being regulated to help ease congestion and ensure a smooth start to the school day and students and parents are assisted to cross the roads safely. Sharjah Police had announced an integrated traffic, community and public awareness plan for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, with patrols being stepped up around schools and inspections intensified on school buses.

Students have started arriving at Hampton Heights International School in Al Twar as schools across Dubai welcome pupils back for the new academic year. Returning students are being joined by many new pupils, with families arriving for the start of the school year.

For four year old Zad Hassan, this is not just a new school year but the first day of school he has ever had. He starts in FS2, at North Gate British Private School, in Ajman, and his father Hassan Mohyeldin and mother came to drop him off in the class.

“It’s really nice, as I said before, it’s a good feeling, as a parent,” Mohyeldin said. “And we’re very excited for him.”

The family, who are from Egypt, had been marking off the days at home. “We were counting down the days till the first day of school,” said Mohyeldin.

Any nerves seem to have dissolved on arrival. His father watched him settle straight into the play area. “He’s playing, as you can see. He’s accommodating himself as well,” he said.

Glambot for the students to make first day back to school memories at North Gate British Private School in Ajman.

Students at the The Philippine School Dubai in Muhaisnah were welcomed back to campus with an upbeat drum and lyre performance, setting a lively tone for the start of the new academic year.

The musical welcome added to the excitement as students reunited with classmates and teachers on the first day of school.

Khadidja Bessoltane GEMS Cluster Lead and National Identity at GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi is looking forward to a more enriching new year. "This year feels like a fresh start for all of us. We are welcoming our students back with renewed focus on National Identity, and strong sense of belonging with our international community. We want every student to feel connected to UAE, values and grow as confident global citizens. We are looking forward to seeing them back on campus, for another year of learning."

Year 3 pupil Tuhinbala Balaji arrived at the gates this morning as one of the school’s new starters, and by his father’s account he had barely slept. “The excitement kept him up through the night,” he said and the family was awake by 5am to get ready.

Balaji Anbanathan took the morning off work to drop his son at the gates. He said the little boy has been counting down to the day, with making new friends top of Tuhinbala’s list for the term ahead.

The first day is being built around settling students in rather than rushing them into lessons, according to Vice Principal Kamran Ajmal, of North Gate British Private School.

Morning form periods are the anchor. “Students first two periods with in the morning, they’re gonna get a chance to reflect on the day, ask any questions about what they did, about where they need to be, the form tutors will be there to support them,” Ajmal said, describing it as a wellbeing check.

The end of the day is being managed just as closely. Staff will sort students into their bus groups and walk them down themselves. “We’re going to organise the students into the correct buses at the end of the day. We’re going to walk them down and make sure they’re getting on the correct bus. They can get home on time,” said Ajmal.

Children being collected by car will be walked down to the front of the school and shown the route so parents can pick them up safely.

“At North Gate British School, we are extremely excited to welcome all of our students back to the start of the new academic year,” said Principal Thomas James Meakin. “Preparations have gone extremely well over the summer with some fantastic new developments within the school, including a fantastic, brand new auditorium, a new library facility, as well as developments across the school, towards our classrooms, to support the functioning of our new GCSE programme.”

Safety, he said, has shaped the planning throughout. “As always, safety has been paramount in all of our decision making, and our emergency response processes are still in place to ensure that the students are safe when they return to school,” Meakin said.

The school has designated safe zones on campus as part of that emergency response training, alongside evacuation procedures, so pupils have secure areas to go to if anything arises during the school day.

GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi ready to welcome back children for the first day of school with balloon decorations.

Watch students in uniforms return to school in yellow buses. Students of The Indian High School, Oud Metha Campus, are all smiles as they are received with special “welcome back to school” messages.

UAE residents woke up to the familiar sight of yellow school buses on roads as students return to classrooms across the country, marking the resumption of learning after the summer break.