Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Students across the UAE begin their winter holiday on December 8, according to the Ministry of Education. The winter holiday marks the start of a nearly month-long break that runs until January 4, 2026, according to the Ministry of Education’s approved calendar for the 2025–2026 school year. Teaching and administrative staff will begin their break a week later, starting December 15. December will remain academically active despite the holiday period. Make-up exams are scheduled from December 8 to 12, overlapping with the start of the student break. The same period will also host the third round of specialised professional training for teachers and administrators. The second semester is set to commence on January 5, 2026, while schools will analyse and release first-semester results between January 7 and 9. According to the academic calendar, the first semester will last 67 instructional days over 14 weeks. Second semester will have 47 instructional days, the shortest term at around nine weeks. The third semester begins on March 30, 2026, and includes 64 instructional days over roughly 13 weeks and five official holidays. The school year will total approximately 178 instructional days and will conclude no earlier than June 26, 2026. ICA/Expat Media
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