UAE schools get nine-day Eid Al Adha break - plus the full end-of-year dates you need to know
With the third and final term of the academic year well underway, the UAE Ministry of Education has released the complete schedule of key dates through to the end of the school year, anchored by a nine-day break for Eid Al Adha later this month.
The Eid Al Adha break
The midterm break for the third academic term will run from Sunday May 25 to Thursday May 29, covering five official school days for students, teachers, and administrative staff. With weekends on either side — May 23 and 24 before the break, and May 30 and 31 after — the total holiday stretches to nine consecutive days away from the classroom, giving families a meaningful opportunity to rest, travel, and celebrate one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar.
Eid Al Adha 2026 is expected to fall on either Wednesday May 27 or Thursday May 28, subject to the official moon sighting announcement. The break applies in line with the Ministry's approved academic calendar, which was put in place to support student wellbeing and family time at regular intervals throughout the year.
Private school families should note that while the Ministry of Education calendar covers public and private schools following the government curriculum, confirmation from local regulators including KHDA, ADEK and SPEA is expected separately for schools under their jurisdiction.
What happens after the break
Students return to classrooms on June 1 to resume the third term. The weeks that follow are structured around a clear sequence of academic milestones. Mock examinations are scheduled for June 15 and 16, designed to assess readiness ahead of final exams, identify areas for improvement, and allow schools to provide targeted support at the right time.
An official holiday for the Islamic New Year falls on June 17, immediately before the final examination period begins. End-of-term examinations will run from June 24 through July 3, covering all grade levels.
The end of the academic year
July 3 has been designated as the final official school day for students, marking the close of the 2025 to 2026 academic year. Makeup examinations for the third term will follow from July 6 to 9 for students who were unable to meet passing requirements in certain subjects.
End-of-year results will be analysed and released on July 12 and 13, with re-sit examinations running from July 14 to 17. Re-sit results will be announced on July 20.
The period from July 13 to 17 has also been set aside for specialised training programmes for teaching and administrative staff, focused on professional development and readiness for the year ahead. Summer leave for staff will begin on July 18, following the completion of all examination, results, and training responsibilities.
Sources:
Gulf News — "UAE announces Eid Al Adha holiday, mid-term break for schools" by Abdulla Rasheed (April 30, 2026). Read the full article.
What's On UAE — "Eid Al Adha 2026: UAE announces school midterm break dates" (April 30, 2026). Read the full article.
