(Credit - Khaleej Times)
Does your Dubai school follow the ministry’s 2026-27 calendar?
For most Dubai families the answer is yes. KHDA, which regulates private schools in Dubai, has told schools to adhere to the unified academic calendar issued by the UAE Ministry of Education, and to publish and communicate their own calendars clearly. Which calendar applies to your child depends on the type of school, so this page works through each case.
Which calendar applies to your child
| School type | Calendar |
|---|---|
| Dubai private school following the Ministry curriculum | The unified ministry calendar |
| Other Dubai private schools | KHDA told schools to adhere to the unified calendar. Schools outside the Ministry curriculum can apply to split the mid-term break between October and February, up to five school days in total. |
| Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools | Not bound by the unified calendar. They can set their own start, end and break dates. |
| Sharjah schools | A separate framework |
Why some October dates changed
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| First told to parents by some British-curriculum schools | 19 to 23 October 2026 |
| Revised dates, matching the ministry calendar | 12 to 16 October 2026, classes resuming on 19 October |
The ministry’s three-year calendar approved in February 2026 already listed the 12 to 16 October dates, so the revision brought those schools into line. Reports named Dubai British School, Safa British School and Arab Unity School among those that sent parents revised dates, and others may have too. For the story as it unfolded, see Dubai schools move October half-term to 12 to 16 October 2026.
What to check with your school
- Ask for the school’s published 2026-27 term planner and compare it with the ministry dates.
- Confirm the winter break (the ministry’s is 14 December 2026 to 1 January 2027) and the spring break (5 to 9 April 2027).
- Ask whether the school has applied to split the mid-term break.
- Wait for written confirmation before booking non-refundable flights.
Frequently asked questions
What if my children attend two different types of school?
Each school sets its own published dates within its framework, so compare both planners before booking family travel.
Who regulates private school calendars in Dubai?
KHDA, which has told schools to follow the unified ministry calendar and to communicate their own dates clearly.
Where to go next
Related guides
- Dubai and UAE School Calendar 2026-27: Term Dates, Breaks and Holidays
- Dubai Private Schools 2026-27: Summer Break, Year Length and Mid-Term Rules
- Esaad Card Explained: Who Qualifies and How to Check
- UAE School Exam and Assessment Calendar 2026-27: 185 Teaching Days by Term
- UAE School Holidays 2026-27: How Long Each Break Is and When to Travel
