Dubai Schools’ 2025 Holidays and Terms Revealed by KHDA

Lifestyle, Adventures3 weeks ago

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has officially released the school calendar for the 2025 academic year, bringing clarity and planning ease to thousands of families, school administrators, and educators across the emirate. The new calendar outlines all key term dates, vacations, and exam periods for both public and private schools in Dubai, with the aim of maintaining educational quality while supporting family wellbeing.

The announcement comes as part of KHDA’s annual update, designed to help schools and families align their academic and personal schedules well in advance.

What’s in the New KHDA 2025 School Calendar?

According to KHDA, the 2025 school year will begin in late August for most private schools following international curricula, while public schools are expected to follow the Ministry of Education calendar, starting in early September.

Here is a snapshot of the key dates:

Start of Academic Year:
Most private schools will reopen on August 25, 2025.
Public schools are expected to resume on September 1, 2025, subject to final MOE confirmation.
Winter Break:
All schools will close for the winter holidays on December 12, 2025.
Students will return by January 4, 2026, giving a three-week winter break.
Spring Break:
Spring holidays are set from March 29 to April 9, 2026, offering two full weeks of rest.
End of Academic Year:
The school year for private schools will conclude by June 26, 2026, with some flexibility depending on curriculum.
Public schools may continue until the first week of July 2026, based on MOE directives.

KHDA also noted that Islamic holidays like Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and other public holidays will be observed as per the UAE government’s official announcements, which are usually confirmed closer to the date based on the lunar calendar.

Key Guidelines from KHDA

KHDA mandates that private schools in Dubai must provide a minimum of 188 school days per academic year. While schools following different international curricula (British, American, IB, etc.) may have slight adjustments, the total instructional time must meet this requirement.

The KHDA emphasized:

“It’s important for schools to adhere to the minimum instructional days while also balancing student wellbeing and academic excellence.”

Schools are allowed to propose minor calendar changes based on their curriculum needs, but they must seek approval from KHDA to ensure alignment with the authority’s educational standards.

Why This Calendar Matters to Families

For parents in Dubai, the early release of the 2025 school calendar is a welcome step. It allows families to plan vacations, arrange childcare, and manage work schedules more efficiently. Many expat families in Dubai often travel during long school breaks, and knowing these dates in advance supports better travel planning.

Anita Desai, a mother of two children studying in a British curriculum school in Al Barsha, said:

“The early release of the calendar helps us book tickets home and make holiday plans. It also helps the kids mentally prepare for breaks and term endings.”

Impact on Schools and Teachers

Schools and teaching staff also benefit from a well-structured calendar. Academic planning, assessments, teacher training, and school events can be efficiently scheduled without last-minute changes.

Sarah Mitchell, Principal of a private school in Dubai Silicon Oasis, commented:

“The KHDA calendar offers the consistency we need. It allows us to map out teaching units, exams, and parent-teacher meetings well in advance.”

KHDA also encourages schools to use mid-term breaks, wellness days, and enrichment weeks wisely to reduce student burnout and promote balanced learning.

International Curricula Adjustments

Dubai is home to over 200 private schools offering 17 different curricula, including British, American, IB, Indian (CBSE and ICSE), French, and others. While all schools must adhere to KHDA’s framework, some curricula may follow slightly different academic rhythms.

For example:

Indian curriculum schools (CBSE/ICSE) typically follow an April to March academic year, meaning they may start and end their terms earlier.
IB and American schools often align with the August-June schedule, matching KHDA’s general structure.

KHDA allows flexibility but stresses that all schools must submit their individual calendars for approval by January of the preceding year.

Final Thoughts: Planning for 2025 Just Got Easier

The release of the 2025 school calendar by KHDA is more than just a list of dates—it’s a roadmap for students, teachers, and families to thrive academically and personally in the coming year. With Dubai’s reputation as a global education hub, such proactive planning reinforces the emirate’s commitment to quality learning experiences.

Parents are encouraged to check with their respective schools for official confirmation of specific term start and end dates, especially for schools with unique curricula.

The complete KHDA calendar can be accessed through the official KHDA website or through direct communication with individual schools.