For the first time, UAE students will enjoy a four-week winter break under the country’s new unified school calendar. Running from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, the holiday is a week longer than usual and has sparked both excitement and questions among parents.
While schools assure families that curriculum delivery will remain intact, not every institution in the UAE will adopt the longer break. Here’s a full breakdown of what parents need to know.
Extended Break Without Losing Learning Time
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the mandated 182 school days will remain in place despite the extended winter holiday. Schools are adopting innovative approaches to maintain academic rigour.
Nav Iqbal, Principal/CEO of GEMS Metropole School, Motor City, explained:
“To accommodate the longer winter break, we believe that a strong curriculum must be both clear and purposeful. That’s why we have strengthened our provision with focused lessons in key subjects, enriched project-based learning during these longer breaks, and increased opportunities for students to continue their learning at home.”
He added that detailed planning will keep families informed:
“Alongside this, we have introduced detailed curriculum maps and learning journeys so that both students and parents know exactly what is being taught each year. This ensures transparency, removes duplication, and helps families feel more connected to the learning process. Most importantly, we have put in place targeted interventions to close any curriculum gaps, making sure every child is supported to reach their full potential.”
Schools Emphasise Balance Between Rest and Study
At Woodlem British School, Ajman, the focus is on giving families genuine downtime while protecting academic momentum.
Principal Natalia Svetenok said:
“In our school, we believe that families deserve a true pause; children return brighter for it. With a four-week winter break, we have re-sequenced learning: core ideas now, lighter inquiry in early spring.”
She added that learning continuity will be safeguarded upon return:
“On return, we’ll protect teaching minutes, use daily retrieval and interleaving, and run a ‘Reboot & Recall’ week with quick diagnostics, targeted mini-lessons, and small-group tutoring. Exam years get focused clinics. The break stays optional: reading adventures, short pre-teach videos, and maths fluency for those who want it. Our parents get one-page term maps.”
IB Schools Maintain Standards
Uptown International School reassured families that international standards remain unaffected.
Principal Colin Gerrie noted:
“We are very proud of our attainment levels at Uptown International School, including our IB Diploma Programme, Career-Related Programme and IB Certificates results. Regardless of the four-week winter break, we have still managed to plan the delivery of the 240 Hours required at IB Diploma level, within the calendared 182 days. In addition, we have Academic ECAs led by our committed teachers, academic societies organised by senior students for the MYP pupils and additional sessions for examination groups, during the school holidays. These supplementary programmes are well established and will continue the high levels of success in all grades for our young people.”
International Research Supports Longer Holidays
Some schools point to global precedents to reassure parents.
Lisa Johnson, Principal, American Academy for Girls, said:
“We still have a 182-day school year, so the extended four-week winter break hasn’t reduced learning time — it has simply stretched the academic year a bit. This would be a pretty standard number of days for schools in America or internationally.”
She highlighted the wellbeing benefits of longer breaks:
“UAE families and staff will surely welcome the extended break as it allows for longer home visits and a true winter holiday. For extended breaks, we provide light practice work on our online platforms to help students keep their skills sharp, but we don’t expect this to cause any dip in learning. There have been large studies in the US around year-round school and long summer breaks. Research shows that learning loss typically occurs after six weeks away from school, so a four-week pause should not pose any concern.”
Not All Schools Will Get Four Weeks
According to Gulf News, schools following the Indian and Pakistani curricula in Dubai will not adopt the longer break, as their academic year follows a different schedule.
Zubair Ahmad, Managing Director of Springdales School, said:
“The 4-week winter break outlined in the new unified calendar does not apply to our school following the Indian curriculum. We continue to follow the academic calendar as per our respective education boards and previous schedules. Consequently, our existing plans, including the Mid-Term Planning (MTP), remain aligned with the older calendar. This ensures that the academic calendar and learning outcomes for Indian schools like us are not disrupted or delayed.”
Similarly, Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO and Principal of Credence High School, confirmed:
“Our academic calendar for the session 2025–2026 was carefully planned and approved right at the start of the year, since our school year begins in April. This advance planning ensures that even with holiday breaks, the overall learning objectives and syllabus completion remain on track.”
Pakistani curriculum schools in Dubai, such as the Pakistan Education Academy, will also continue with their existing three-week schedule.
Northern Emirates Schools Follow the Unified Calendar
In contrast, Indian curriculum schools in the Northern Emirates will follow the Ministry of Education’s unified academic calendar.
Muhammad Ali Kottakkulam, Principal of Cosmopolitan International Indian School, Ajman, explained:
“As a CBSE school in Ajman, we adhere to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines that apply to all private schools across the Northern Emirates, regardless of the curriculum.”
He added:
“Hence, these longer winter breaks do not make any negative impact on the academic year.”
Extra Classes and Enrichment Programmes
Some schools will use the longer holiday to support exam preparation.
Deepika Thapar Singh of Credence High School said:
“Special extra classes have been arranged for Grades 10 and 12 during the first week of the winter break, as these students will be preparing for their external board examinations in March 2026. This provision allows students to use part of the break for focused revision, while still enjoying time with their families during the remaining weeks.”
Other schools will run winter coaching camps, enrichment activities, and international study tours to keep students engaged.
A Balanced Break for Students and Families
The UAE’s four-week winter break marks a significant shift in the academic calendar. For most students, it represents a chance to recharge, travel, and spend time with family — while schools continue to ensure academic standards are maintained.
With some exceptions for certain curricula, the December 2025 to January 2026 break is set to become a defining feature of the UAE’s education system.
Further Reading:
- UAE Schools Announce New Rules for 2025
- From AI to Smartphone Bans – What’s New in UAE Schools 2025–2026