As parents and guardians gear up for the end of the month when children will be off school for a week, it’s time to start planning for the next school break. Here is the complete guide to the school holidays for the 2023-2024 academic year in Dubai.
Flexibility in School Calendar
It’s important to note that schools in Dubai have some flexibility with their calendars, as long as they meet the minimum number of school days required. For schools following the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum, this is 188 days, while international curriculum schools must complete 182 days.
For precise dates, parents are advised to check individual school profiles on the Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s (KHDA) website.
Dates for Schools Starting in September
For private schools in Dubai that begin their academic year in September, here are some key dates:
- October 23 to 27: Half term
- December 1: Commemoration day
- December 11 to January 2, 2024: Winter break
- March 25 to April 15, 2024: Spring break
- June 17 to 18: Eid Al Adha (tentative date)
- June 28: End of academic year
Dates for Schools Starting in April
For private schools that commence their academic year in April, these are the important dates:
- July 3 to August 28: Summer break
- December 11 to January 2: Winter break
- March 1 to March 31: Schools can close any day between these dates for the end of the academic year
- April 1: Start of academic year
- July 4 to August 26: Summer break
- December 16 to January 3: Winter break
Upcoming Public Holidays in the UAE
The final long weekend of 2023 will occur at the start of December, coinciding with two public holidays. These dates are not dependent on the sighting of the moon, so they are already known.
Commemoration Day, previously known as Martyrs’ Day, is marked annually on December 1, which falls on a Friday in 2023. Immediately after this, the UAE celebrates National Day on December 2 and 3, which fall on a Saturday and Sunday, making it a three-day weekend.
This guide should help parents and guardians plan their holidays and activities around the school breaks for the 2023-2024 academic year.