4-day holiday for Hijri New Year: Some Dubai schools declare Nov 4 off, parents on long-break alert

Some schools in Dubai have announced November 3 and November 4 as holidays to mark the Hijri New Year, giving students a four-day break.

The UAE Cabinet had met on Monday and announced that Al Hijri New Year holiday will be marked on November 3 for the public sector, and November 2 for the private sector, giving the nation a three-day weekend.

Also known as Islamic New Year, it is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year.

Indians in the UAE are also celebrating the major festival of Diwali on November 3, which may have an impact oin the decision of some Indian schools to give an extra day off.

However, with schools in Dubai announcing two-days off, instead of one, a four-day weekend for some parents now becomes a very real option.

“My children will be home on November 3 and 4,” a parent whose children study at Emirates International School, Meadows, told this website.

Another parent whose child goes to Gems Wellington Primary confirmed the same.

Even Jumeirah Primary School will get a two-day break.

These schools will reopen on November 5.

These are just a few of the schools Emirates 24|7 contacted with the four-day holiday expected to be much more widespread for Dubai students.

The announcements are going to prove difficult for working parents, who do not have caretakers at home.

“My child will be home for two days and since I don’t have a babysitter, I will have to take two days off from work to be with her,” says Sunita, parent of a 6-year-old.

That’s the same for Kristina, who will have to apply for leave, to take care of her 9-year-old son.

“It's going to be tough. We will have to a day off just to babysit our children.”