More than 1.27 million students return to UAE schools for new academic year

Abu Dhabi: A total of 1,180 public and private schools implementing the Ministry of Education curriculum will open their doors on Monday to welcome more than 1.277 million students at various educational stages for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. The new academic year will begin with a phased return and reduced attendance during the first four school days, before full official school hours and attendance commence on Friday, 4th September. The academic year comprises 185 school days spread across three terms, including 67 days in the first term, 60 days in the second term and 58 days in the third term. The first term extends over 13 weeks, while the second and third terms each span 12 weeks. The phased return aims to help students transition smoothly back to school life and restore their daily routines before the start of full attendance. ‘With the Charter, We Reach New Horizons’ The new academic year begins under the slogan of the Ministry of Education’s campaign, “With the Charter, We Reach New Horizons”. Schools will welcome more than 1.277 million students, including 26,700 pupils joining school for the first time. The return follows extensive preparations involving more than 24,000 teachers, educators and administrative staff, who completed specialised training after returning to work on 24th August. Preparations included finalising academic and operational plans, readying classrooms and facilities, adjusting timetables, distributing students, and reviewing transport, safety and reception plans. School principals said preparations had been completed, including the review of timetables and student lists, the preparation of classrooms, laboratories and activity areas, and checks on school buses, transport routes and safety measures. First term According to the 2026-2027 academic calendar, students begin classes on 31st August before schools move into the diagnostic and central assessment phase. Diagnostic assessments will be conducted from 7th to 18th September, while the Arabic Baseline Assessment (ABA) will run from 7th September to 9th October. The Standard Proficiency Assessment (SPA) will take place from 21st September to 30th October. The mid-term student break is scheduled from 12th to 16th October. During the same period, administrative and teaching staff will undergo the second phase of specialised training from 12th to 14th October, followed by a staff break on 15th and 16th October. The PIRLS 2026 study will be conducted from 19th October to 12th November. Pilot examinations will take place from 18th to 20th November, followed by end-of-term examinations from 25th to 27th November. Testing will pause during the National Day holiday from 2nd to 4th December and resume from 7th to 11th December. The winter break for students will start on 14th December and continue until 1st January, 2027. Between 14th and 18th December, administrative and teaching staff will participate in the third specialised training programme, alongside first-term make-up examinations. The winter break for staff will run from 21st December, 2026, to 1st January, 2027. Second term The second term will begin on 4th January, 2027, with the return of students, teachers and administrative staff. First-term results will be announced between 4th and 6th January. The term will continue until the Eid Al Fitr holiday, scheduled from 8th to 12th March, 2027, before classes resume and final assessments begin. Final school assessments will take place from 22nd March to 2nd April, 2027. The spring break for students and staff will run from 5th to 9th April, 2027. Third term The third term will begin on 12th April, 2027, with second-term results announced between 12th and 14th April. The term includes 58 school days and several assessment programmes and international studies. The TIMSS 2027 main study will be conducted from 19th April to 14th May, while the Standard Proficiency Assessment will run from 26th April to 4th June. The Eid Al Adha holiday is scheduled from 15th to 18th May, while the Islamic New Year holiday will fall on 6th June. Schools will then enter the end-of-year assessment phase, with mock examinations scheduled from 9th to 11th June. The curriculum for kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 will be completed on 11th June, followed by enrichment activities and academic support from 14th June to 2nd July. End-of-term examinations will take place from 16th to 25th June, while academic support programmes will continue from 28th June to 2nd July. Final results will be announced between 30th June and 1st July, 2027, and 2nd July will mark the final school day for students. Make-up and retake examinations will be held from 5th to 8th July, with results announced on 12th July, the same day summer holidays begin for administrative and teaching staff, bringing the 2026-2027 academic year to a close.