UAE School & University Updates 2025–26: Calendars, Exams, AI Curriculum, Wellness

The UAE’s 2025–26 academic year starts on 25 August 2025. Schools have a four-week winter break from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, and a spring break from March 16 to 29, 2026. Term 2 central exams are cancelled in favour of continuous assessment; AI becomes a formal K–12 subject; Arabic time increases; cyber safety and physical activity expand; degree recognition is accelerated; and Dubai targets 90% graduate employment by 2033.

At a Glance: What’s New in 2025–26

Unified calendars for schools and universities (start 25 Aug 2025; winter/spring break dates aligned).
Assessment overhaul: no central exams in Term 2; more continuous evaluation and new proficiency tests (Arabic, English, Math).
AI becomes core K–12 (with trained teachers and clear learning domains).
Arabic & Islamic studies time increases; identity and civic content strengthened.
Well-being & safety: PE and daily activity expanded; cyber safety in curriculum; tighter smartphone rules.
Capacity & quality: new schools, laptops, buses, refreshed campuses, and deep teacher upskilling.
Higher ed: same term rhythm as schools; faster recognition of foreign degrees.
Dubai 2033: student visas, scholarships, and pathways to achieve 90% graduate employment.

1) Unified, Balanced Academic Calendars (Schools & Universities)

K–12 Schools (All Curricula)

First day of school for students: Monday, 25 August 2025
Winter break: Monday, 8 December 2025 – Sunday, 4 January 2026 (4 weeks)
Classes resume: Monday, 5 January 2026
Spring break: Monday, 16 March – Sunday, 29 March 2026 (2 weeks)
Academic year ends: Friday, 3 July 2026

Mid-term breaks are scheduled during Oct 13–19, 2025, Feb 11–15, 2026, and May 25–31, 2026 for applicable curricula, ensuring consistent rest intervals without losing instructional days.

Universities (Public & Private)

Start: 25 August 2025 (aligned with schools)
Breaks: 8 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 (winter), 16–29 Mar 2026 (spring)

International branch campuses may follow home-country calendars, but most UAE HEIs align to the national structure for smoother family and workforce planning.

2) Assessment Overhaul & Continuous Evaluation

Term-2 central exams are cancelled for all grades to reduce pressure and encourage steady progress. Centralised assessments now occur in Terms 1 and 3, but schools implement continuous, school-based evaluation throughout the year.

Proficiency testing in Arabic, English, and Mathematics scales up for Grades 4–11, beginning with a cohort of roughly 26,000 students, to benchmark mastery and inform targeted support.

3) AI as a Formal K–12 Subject

AI is now a formal subject from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in public schools, with private schools aligning.

Seven domains shape the curriculum:

AI fundamentals
Data & algorithms
Software/apps
Ethics
Real-world use cases
Innovation/project design
Policy/community engagement

About 1,000 trained teachers are delivering AI across grades. AI is embedded into existing timetables (e.g., Computing), so no extra hours are required.

4) Arabic, Islamic Education & National Identity

More Arabic time: Private schools must deliver at least 40 minutes of Arabic instruction daily (200 minutes per week) for non-native streams, rising to 300 minutes per week by 2027–28.
Early literacy: A Grade-1 Arabic baseline assessment in 100 schools tailors support for foundational reading and writing.
Islamic studies in KG for Muslim students is now mandated; social studies (family, geography, civic values) start in early years to deepen identity and belonging.

5) Student Health, Safety & Inclusion

PE & Health: A national program enhances PE structures, school sports, and healthier meal options, promoting active lifestyles.
Smartphones: Schools are applying a strict in-school smartphone ban, with graduated confiscation (e.g., one month for first violation, up to the end of the year for repeat offences), minimising distraction and misuse.
Cyber safety: Digital citizenship and online safety are taught from Grade 1 to 12, covering protection, literacy, and risk management.
Abu Dhabi (ADEK): PE is compulsory, and schools must ensure at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity for every student.
Inclusion: Admissions policies prohibit the unjust exclusion of students with disabilities; schools must provide appropriate supports and resources.

6) Infrastructure, Teacher Development & Parent Engagement

Capacity & access: Nine new schools for 25,000+ students; 800+ new teachers onboarded.
Upgrades & assets: 460+ refreshed schools, 5,500 school buses, 47,000 laptops, and ~10 million printed textbooks to ensure learning continuity.
Professional growth: 23,000+ educators received ~170 hours of workshops/training; the Educational Competency Assessment continues to evaluate teachers across cycles to guide development and career pathways.
Community programs: Initiatives such as “My Inspiring Family”, “Inspiring People in the Field”, and “From Skill to Leadership” foster family-school partnerships and highlight role models.

7) Higher Education: Alignment & Recognition

An aligned university calendar mirrors school timing for smoother family, work, and internship planning.
Foreign degree recognition is faster: The Ministry has cut required documents from 14 to just 4, streamlining verification for international graduates and professionals while maintaining quality standards.

8) Dubai’s Vision 2033: From School to Employment

Policy targets: 90% of Emirati graduates employed within six months of graduation; stronger career guidance in schools and universities.
Visas & scholarships: Expanded student visas, international scholarships, and graduate work options enhance Dubai’s appeal to global talent.
Global university hub: Plans to grow international branch campuses (toward 70+ by 2033) to rank among the top 10 student cities worldwide.

Summary Table: Key Reforms at a Glance

Domain	Key Reforms 2025–26
Academic Calendar	Unified start 25 Aug 2025; winter 8 Dec–4 Jan; spring 16–29 Mar; consistent mid-term breaks
Assessment	No Term-2 central exams; continuous school-based evaluation; scaled proficiency tests (G4–G11)
Curriculum	AI as a formal K–12 subject; Arabic/Islamic strengthened; early social studies
Student Well-being	Expanded PE & health; smartphone restrictions; cyber safety taught G1–G12; firm inclusion policies
Infrastructure & Training	New schools; laptops; buses; refreshed campuses; ~170 hrs PD; competency assessments
Higher Education	Calendar aligned to schools; foreign degree recognition: 14 → 4 documents
Dubai’s Vision	Student visas, scholarships, career pathways; 90% graduate employment target by 2033

What This Means for Parents & Students (Actionable Tips)

Book travel smart: Plan around 8 Dec–4 Jan and 16–29 Mar; exams and learning continue until each term’s final week.
Shift your study habits: Expect ongoing assessments, keep notes organised, track rubrics, and review them weekly.
Lean into AI & Arabic: Encourage projects that blend AI with real-life problems; for Arabic, daily reading aloud helps build fluency quickly.
Pack for movement: PE is more structured; send proper footwear and a refillable water bottle.
Set phone norms: Align home rules with the school’s no-phone policy during learning time.
University-bound? Start recognition paperwork early, fewer documents doesn’t mean last-minute.

FAQs

Q: When does the 2025–26 school year start in the UAE?

A: Monday, 25 August 2025.

Q: What are the winter and spring break dates?

A: Winter: 8 Dec 2025–4 Jan 2026 (back 5 Jan). Spring: 16–29 Mar 2026 (back 30 Mar).

Q: Are there central exams in Term 2?

A: No. Term-2 central exams are abolished; Term-1 and Term-3 national assessments remain, with continuous, school-based evaluation all year.

Q: Is AI now mandatory?

A: Yes. AI is a formal K–12 subject with trained teachers; no extra timetable hours needed.

Q: How much Arabic must private schools teach daily?

A: At least 40 minutes daily (200 min/week), rising to 300 min/week by 2027–28.

Q: Are smartphones allowed in school?

A: Schools enforce strict bans during the school day with graduated confiscation periods for violations.

Q: Do universities follow the same breaks as schools?

A: Yes, most UAE universities align with the national calendar; some international branches may follow home-country schedules.

Q: How has foreign degree recognition changed?

A: Required documents are cut from 14 to 4, speeding up approvals for graduates and professionals.

Conclusion

The UAE’s 2025–26 education reforms blend consistency (unified calendars), fairness (continuous assessment), future-readiness (AI, cyber safety), identity building (Arabic & Islamic studies), and well-being (PE, smartphone rules). With stronger teacher development, better infrastructure, and streamlined higher education pathways, learners gain clearer routes from classroom to career, especially under Dubai’s 2033 employment and talent hub ambitions.

Also Read: Empowering Futures: Educational Fairs, Webinars, and the Rise of AI in Digital Classrooms