UAE schools adjust October break dates and manage student fatigue

Private schools in Dubai are revising their October half-term dates to align with the unified academic calendar set by the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). For the 2026–27 academic year, the mid-term break is scheduled from Monday, October 12, to Friday, October 16, 2026. When combined with surrounding weekends, students will be off from October 10 through October 18.

Several institutions, including Dubai British School, Safa British School, and Arab Unity School, have notified parents of these changes. The shift follows a move toward a more standardized national school calendar.

Separately, parents in the UAE are navigating the physical impact of the new academic year on children. The transition from summer routines to early wake-ups and structured school days has led to reports of student exhaustion. Experts note that children aged six to 12 require nine to 12 hours of sleep per night to maintain the concentration and engagement necessary for successful schooling.