When is the half-term break for schools in the UAE?

Some schools have a week-long holiday coming up, starting on February 14

Key safety measures were in place at The British School Al Khubairat on January 31 as pupils returned. Victor Besa / The National

A pupil heads back to The British School Al Khubairat on January 31. Victor Besa / The National

Two young pupils return to in-person studies at Brighton College in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A young learner heads to class at Brighton College. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Senior school pupils were welcomed back at Brighton College .Chris Whiteoak / The National

Brighton College offered a warm welcome to returning learners. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Brighton College in Abu Dhabi is now able to offer in-person teaching for all of its age groups. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Physical distancing rules remain in place to keep the school population safe. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The familiar walk to school was back on the agenda on January 31. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A young pupil prepares to reunite with classmates at Brighton College . Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Brighton College learner makes his way to class. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A pupil returns to the Brighton College campus in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Many Brighton College Pupils were back on the school bus to start the week. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi marked another milestone moment on January 31. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils get set for in-person lessons at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A young learner makes his way to class at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A pupil is given some guidance on their return to The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

January 31 marked a first day back to school for thousands of pupils across the country. Victor Besa / The National

Safety remains paramount at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National

A pupil gets set for in-person teaching at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National

A young learner on the back to school trail. Victor Besa / The National

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Many schools in the UAE will close for a week this month for the half-term break.

International schools that begin their year in September will close from Monday, 14 February. But pupils will have two more days off as February 12 and 13 fall on a weekend. February 11 will be a half-day for all schools.

Many British schools will be off from February 12 to 20 (including both weekends) and classes will resume on February 21, Monday.

Some American schools will have three days off from February 12 to 14, including the weekend. Classes will begin on Tuesday, February 15.

Term 2 will end on March 25 in most schools, followed by the spring break.

Schools that begin their academic year in April will not have a midterm break in February but they will get more than two weeks off at the end of March.

The February break is one of the busiest periods of the year for tourism, with tens of thousands of foreign visitors heading to the Emirates as Europe's schools take a week-long holiday.

Pupils and teachers will also have some extra time off during the Eid Al Fitr holidays in May. The number of holidays depends on when the Moon is sighted.

Schools are allowed some flexibility in their calendar, as long as they complete a certain number of days in the year.

There are two midterm breaks during the year – the first in October and the second in February.

Some schools include both in their calendar, but the one in October is shorter while others have only one midterm break in February.

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