Dubai private schools must not break up for summer holiday before June 28, authorities say

Many are expected to close after Eid Al Adha celebrations

Many private schools break for summer on July 7. Satish Kumar / The National

Dubai's education authority has encouraged parents to check their school's published term dates to find out when their children will break for the summer holiday.

As the Islamic calendar moves forward again this year, the end of term will almost coincide with Eid Al Adha, which is expected to begin on Wednesday, June 28.

After some confusion over when schools holidays would start, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has clarified that schools are under no obligation to end the term during the Eid Al Adha break.

Many of the academic calendars in Dubai show schools closing in early July.

When do Dubai schools break for summer 2023?

For private schools in Dubai that begin their school year in August, the summer break will not start before June 28, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the emirate’s private school regulator.

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

In the current academic year, pupils will attend school for 188 days.

While dates can vary from school to school, most terms appear to be ending on July 7.

The KHDA website provides a list of schools and a link to each one's academic calendar. Parents are advised to contact schools for a confirmation of dates.

For private schools that start their academic year in April — principally Indian curriculum schools — the summer break begins on July 3, according to the KHDA.

When is Eid Al Adha?

In its list of public holiday dates for 2023, the UAE Cabinet allocated four days for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, which could mean a six-day break from Tuesday, June 27.

The date will be confirmed closer to the time by the UAE's Moon-sighting committee.

Private schools can only tentatively communicate the Eid Al Adha holiday to parents and confirm the dates once they are declared by the UAE government authority.

What are the school term dates in Dubai for 2023-24?

The new academic year for most private schools in Dubai starts on August 28.

Schools whose year starts in March return from their summer break on the same date.

According to the KHDA school calendar for 2023 to 2024, the winter break for all schools starts on December 11, with classes resuming on January 2.

The spring break is from March 25 until April 15, and the academic year will not end before June 28, 2024.

For Dubai private schools starting in April, the end of their current academic year will be on a day in March 2024, subject to the school fulfilling the stipulated 182 minimum days and receiving KHDA approval.