Most UAE pupils to start school after Islamic New Year holiday

The start of the academic year has been pushed back a day at some schools to accommodate the public holiday

Pupils will start the academic year on September 2 after a public holiday for the Islamic New Year was called. Satish Kumar / The National

Most pupils will go back to school on Monday, September 2, after a public holiday for the Islamic New Year was announcd.

The Ministry of Education had initially said that thee academic year would to begin on Sunday, September 1.

This week, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said public and private sector workers will enjoy a public holiday on Muharram 1, Hijri 1441.

That date in the Islamic calendar falls on Saturday or Sunday, leading many to anticipate a holiday on Sunday, September 1.

Schools emailed parents on Thursday to notify them of the change in start date and advised factoring extra time into their morning commute to compensate for increased traffic.

Some schools, however, will begin the academic year as early as next week. Pupils of the British School Al Khubairat and Brighton College Abu Dhabi will have their first day on Thursday August 29.