UAE schools set to welcome teachers and other staff on Monday

The UAE schools to start academic year on August 25

Last updated: August 16, 2025 | 10:42

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UAE schools set to welcome teachers and other staff on Monday

Abu Dhabi: Public schools and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum across all emirates will welcome teaching, technical, and administrative staff next Monday, marking the official return to duty after the summer break and the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.

Classes for students across all grades will begin on Monday, August 25. The education sector is awaiting updated figures from the Ministry of Education on the total number of teachers, including new appointments for the year.

Teachers and staff will take part in a two-phase professional development programme — the first from August 18 to 22, and the second from October 13 to 15 — designed to equip them with skills and tools for a successful academic start.

Also Read: UAE school calendar 2025-2026: Ministry of Education announces full academic schedule

Academic calendar

The school year includes 178 days: 67 in the first term, 47 in the second, and 64 in the third. The first term begins on August 25 and runs for 14 weeks.

Students start their winter break on December 8, while staff will follow from December 15, ensuring time for administrative closure.

Also Read: How parents in the UAE are saving on back-to-school shopping

Key dates and holidays

Highlights of the first term include the Prophet’s Birthday holiday on September 4, diagnostic assessments in mid-September, and a mid-term break from October 13 to 15. Final exams will run from November 20 to 28, followed by National Day holidays on December 2–3.

The second term starts on January 5, 2026, with mid-term holidays in February and final exams in March, followed by a spring break until March 29. The third term begins on March 30 and concludes on July 3, 2026, featuring international assessments such as PIRLS and TIMSS, alongside national holidays.

New unified calendar

The Ministry has introduced a new calendar structure, approved by the Council for Education, Human Development, and Society, to align holidays across public and private schools. The update supports the Year of Community initiative by strengthening family cohesion and ensuring a balanced distribution of study and rest periods.

This structure establishes uniform start and end dates for all terms, providing a four-week winter break from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, and ensuring consistency across the UAE’s education system.

Abdulla RasheedEditor - Abu Dhabi

Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi  is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad  and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.