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The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources issued Circular No. 12 of 2026 detailing the back-to-school policy for all federal ministries and entities. Employees with children in primary school and above may adjust arrival or departure times by a total of three hours on the first school day to accompany their children to or from school. This provision accounts for differing start times across curriculums set by the competent authorities and requires direct manager approval to ensure workflow continuity, according to the authority’s circular.
Parents of children attending nurseries or kindergartens receive flexibility across the entire first week of the academic year under the same circular from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources. The total flexible time during that week must not exceed three hours either combined or divided as needed for drop-offs and pick-ups. The authority stated that the measure aligns with applicable legislation while supporting families during the transition period that begins August 31.
The policy also extends throughout the academic year to cover other family-related needs at schools. Employees may receive permission for up to three hours to attend parent-teacher meetings in accordance with Parents’ Councils Regulations. Similar allowances apply for children’s graduation ceremonies, events and activities provided they comply with the Federal Government Human Resources Law and do not impact service delivery, FAHR noted in the document.
All adjustments remain subject to the systems and regulations in place at each federal entity as well as approval from the employee’s direct supervisor. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has emphasised that the flexibility must occur without affecting public services or operational efficiency across government bodies. Khaleej Times reported on August 28 that the initiative has been implemented annually since 2024 to balance work and family responsibilities.
The Ministry of Education has scheduled the 2026-2027 academic year to begin with a four-day phased return from August 31 to September 3 before full attendance resumes on September 4. Students will follow reduced hours during the initial phase with kindergartens attending for three hours and 15 minutes daily while other cycles receive adjusted timetables based on grade level. The ministry’s figures place total public school enrolment at approximately 1.277 million pupils this year, The National reported days before the reopening.
Public and private schools following the national curriculum must retain pupils through the final week of each term to complete assessments or curriculum requirements. The calendar includes a winter break from December 14, 2026, to January 4, 2027, and a spring break in April, according to official UAE government platform data. The phased approach this year aims to ease pupils back into routines following previous disruptions while maintaining instructional standards.
