Why four-week winter break will not apply to all schools

Also find out why some schools will keep extra classes for certain students

- BY SAJILA SASEENDRAN Chief Reporter

THE UAE’s first unified calendar for public and private schools will have a four-week winter holiday this academic year. But that does not mean all students will get a long break, Gulf News can reveal.

As per the unified academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Education, winter breaks will run from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026. This is a shift from the three-week winter holiday that most schools used to follow.

Welcome break

Shagufa Kidwai, principal of Pristine Private School, a UK Curriculum school in Dubai, said: “The introduction of a full four-week winter break is a welcome change for our school community. It provides students with much-needed time to recharge and engage in enriching experiences outside the classroom.”

From an academic standpoint, she said the school has carefully structured its calendar to ensure that the extended winter break does not compromise curriculum delivery.

“Our teaching and assessment plans are well-aligned with the academic requirements for the year, and there is no need for additional classes. Instead, we are encouraging students to use this time purposefully — whether through independent learning, project work, or skill-building activities,” added Kidwai.

However, this is not the case with Dubai schools following the Indian curriculum.

Aligned to older calendar