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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.
Dubai's winter tourism boom: in pictures
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Dubai's post-pandemic boom has made it one of the most visited places in the world today. Further to that, the city has seen tens of thousands of new residents arrive to settle down. Reuters -
Between late 2020 and spring 2022, the city's population grew by close to 100,000 people. Karim Sahib / AFP -
Lifestyle and a growing jobs market has attracted many residents to flashy communities such as Jumeirah Beach Residence. Reuters -
Population growth is a major part of Dubai's 2040 Urban Plan, which seeks to boost the population to 5.8 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
There are plans to physically expand Dubai, creating new beaches and parks for the larger population. The government wants 60 per cent of the city to be green parks and reserves. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
The past two years have \seen a rush of foreign investors looking to buy new property in places such as Palm Jumeirah, where prices have risen significantly. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili -
Landmarks such as Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, have put Dubai on the map as a global lifestyle destination. Reuters
