Schools wrap up exams, field trips before winter

With just about a month left before the long winter holidays, schools across the UAE are buzzing with activity.

- Nandini Sircar

From parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) and final assessments to outdoor excursions and festive events, the last few weeks of the term are packed as teachers, students, and parents prepare to round off a busy academic stretch.

This year, international curriculum schools will enjoy an extended winter break of nearly four weeks — longer than the usual three. The holiday begins with the National Day celebrations on December 2 and 3, followed by the main break from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Classes will resume on January 5, giving students extra time to rest, travel, and participate in community and national festivities.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) had approved a unified academic calendar earlier, for public and private schools for the 2025-2026 school year, which began on August 25. Asian curriculum schools that began in April have slightly different schedules, aligning their breaks with home-country board exam requirements.

Balancing priorities and celebrations