UAE pupils and teachers go back to school for the new academic year on Monday, August 28, following a summer break of around nine weeks.
While families and education workers have been preparing to start the new school year, many are already looking ahead to the next extended holiday.
The academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year has already been revealed, with term dates announced by the UAE cabinet earlier in the year.
At a cabinet meeting in March, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the calendar for the next three academic years.
The decision outlined the detailed timeline for school holidays and term dates in the country until 2026.
Schools must have a minimum of 182 operative days in each academic year,
For the 2023-2024 year, these are the approved dates:
- Start of the academic year: August 28, 2023
- Winter break: December 11, 2023 – January 1, 2024
- Spring break: March 25 – April 14 2024
Most schools operate half-term holidays within each block and dates are determined by management teams at each education establishment.
With the dates of the winter term for UAE schools already defined, it means pupils, families and educators can look forward to a 24-day holiday beginning in December.
With most schools breaking up for the winter term on Friday, December 8 and January 1 usually being a public holiday in the United Arab Emirates it means a holiday of more than three weeks is expected.
