ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
Families across the UAE have welcomed the Ministry of Education's decision to approve the academic calendar for the next three years, saying that the early announcement provides long-awaited clarity for travel, budgeting, and work arrangements.
The calendar, which covers the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 academic years, applies to public schools and private schools that follow the national curriculum and outlines start dates, mid-term breaks, winter and spring holidays, and final school days.
By setting dates three years in advance, the ministry aims to strengthen stability across the education system and support long-term planning for schools and families. For many parents, however, the value lies less in the dates themselves and more in the ability to plan ahead.
"For working parents, having the calendar announced years in advance makes a real difference," Amna Alameri, mother of two children, told Aletihad.
"We can now plan annual leave early and avoid last-minute changes or uncertainty every year."
She added that the early announcement gives families peace of mind, allowing them to plan travel ahead of time without the stress of uncertain schedules.
Another parent, Abdullah Mahmoud, said that long-term clarity is central to managing peak-season travel.
"School holidays usually shape when we travel as a family. Knowing the dates ahead allows us to book early and manage costs better, especially during busy seasons, " he told Aletihad.
Mahmoud also highlighted the benefits of routine for students, saying that the clear structure helps both children and parents prepare mentally for academic terms and breaks.
"Children thrive when they know what's coming," he said. "Having a clear calendar helps us prepare them for the school year, especially younger students who need consistency."
Said Zainab, a mother of three, described the move as a practical step that eases day-to-day pressures rather than a procedural change.
"It helps with budgeting," she told Aletihad. "From school supplies to holiday plans, we can organise things gradually instead of rushing once dates are announced."
Under the approved schedule, the 2026-2027 academic year will begin on August 31, with a mid-term break in October, winter break from mid-December to early January, and spring break in April. The school year will conclude on July 2, 2027.
The following year, 2027-2028, will start on August 30, 2027 and end on June 30, 2028, while the 2028-2029 academic year will run from August 28, 2028, until June 29, 2029, with similar mid-term, winter and spring breaks built into each calendar.
The ministry confirmed that schools must adhere to the approved schedule and complete final assessments during the final week of each term to ensure students attend classes until the official end of the academic year.
The calendar does not apply to private schools that follow alternative systems, including Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani curricula, nor to grades sitting pre-scheduled international examinations.