The announcement aligns with a directive from the UAE Ministry of Education that covers both schools and staff nationwide, according to a Khaleej Times report. It forms part of the approved academic calendar for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. The break provides students with time off immediately ahead of the final assessment phase. Officials noted that the rest period would help prepare them for upcoming examinations.
According to KHDA figures released in January 2025, Dubai is home to 227 private schools educating 387,441 students. This student population saw a 6 percent enrolment growth from the previous year. The authority requires all private schools to follow the government-issued academic calendar without deviation.
The holiday is set to begin on Monday, May 25, and run through Friday, May 29, incorporating the weekends on either side for the full nine days. Classes are then due to resume on Monday, June 1. Mock exams will follow on June 15 and 16.
An additional holiday for the Islamic New Year is scheduled for June 17. End-of-term examinations will be conducted from June 24 through July 3. The final day of the academic year falls on July 3, the Ministry of Education calendar shows.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority plays a central role in regulating private education across Dubai, including the implementation of such holiday schedules. Its academic calendars ensure consistency between public and private institutions throughout the emirate. The current schedule was developed in coordination with federal education authorities.
The move comes as the academic year, which began in late August 2025, draws toward its conclusion in early July 2026. Private schools following various international curricula must still adhere to these key dates for public holidays. This coordination supports unified planning for families and educators alike.
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