The Ministry has now approved the schedule for the third and final semester of the current academic year
The UAE Ministry of Education has announced that the mid-term break for the third semester, and Eid Al Adha break for students and administrative, teaching staff will be from May 25 to 29, according to Al Bayan newspaper.
With weekends falling on May 23, 24 and again on May 30, and 31, the academic break will be effectively stretched the break, resulting in an extended nine-day holiday from classes.
The authority made the announcement after it approved the schedule of schools for the rest of the year. This holiday comes right before students enter the final assessment phase, allowing them to take a short break before their exams.
According to the schedule, students will return to their classrooms on June 1 to resume the third semester, with mock exams being held on June 15 and 16.
The official holiday for Islamic New Year will fall on June 17, which will then be followed by the start of the end-of-term exams – from June 24 to July 3. The ministry has set July 3 as the last day of school for students marking the end of the academic year.
Following recent disruptions linked to the US–Israel–Iran war, schools in the UAE clarified that the academic calendar remains largely fixed, though limited flexibility exists within set guidelines, as questions from parents and students grow over whether this year’s Eid break could see any adjustments.
Leaders stress that while Eid remains an important cultural moment, the priority continues to be protecting instructional time, alongside strengthening wellbeing support and structured academic catch-up plans as students return to classrooms.
“Principals can grant up to three additional days of leave at their discretion. For instance, if official Eid holidays fall from Monday to Wednesday, and since the weekend in Sharjah includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then Thursday may be declared a holiday to create a full week’s break—provided SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority) is informed,” according to Pramod Mahajan, principal of Sharjah Indian School.
The sighting of the crescent moon of the month of Dhul Hijjah in the UAE will take place on Sunday, May 17. Eid Al Adha 2026 is expected to fall either on Wednesday, May 27, or Thursday, May 28, depending on the official announcement.
© Khaleej Times
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