Academic year up from 175 to 182 days
Calendar for public and private schools under education ministry approved till 2021
The Ministry of Education has released the official school calendar till 2021, with the academic year expected to have 182 days, up from 175 currently.
“The Ministerial Council for Development approves the school calendar for public and private schools that follow the ministry curriculum, as well as private education schools that follow foreign curricula in the country for the next three years [2018-2021],” the ministry announced.
The calendar is applicable to public and private schools that follow the ministry’s curriculum and also some private schools that follow a foreign curriculum.
This academic year, students will start the school year on September 2 while staff members will begin work on August 26.
Winter break
Schools following the ministry’s curriculum will have a longer winter break for students, from December 16 to January 10, 2019, while staff will be on holiday from December 23 to January 3, 2019.
In schools following foreign curricula, the winter break for students will be from December 16. Schools will reopen on January 6, 2019.
Parents can also make early travel arrangements for next year’s summer holiday as the last day of school for pupils will be July 4, 2019, while staff will work until July 11.
The spring break for student for all schools will be from March 31, 2019 to April 11, 2019 and schools will open on April 14, 2019.
In Dubai, private schools have also adjusted their calendars after the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said that pupils in the emirate will start the academic year on September 2.
Private schools following foreign curricula were allowed marginal leeway of no more than one week from the dates approved in the school calendars. However, such schools must first acquire permission from the relevant educational authority in their respective emirate if they choose to make any amendments.