As the summer winds down, families, educators, and students across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are eagerly gearing up for the start of the 2023-24 academic year, scheduled to commence on August 28. This significant date has sparked a noticeable uptick in the purchase of educational materials and supplies, as everyone prepares for the first school week starting on Monday.
The UAE’s academic calendar is structured to cater to the diverse educational systems followed in the country. Schools adhering to the British and American educational models typically kick off their new academic year towards the end of August. In contrast, schools following Indian and Pakistani curriculums have a distinct academic calendar that begins in April and concludes in March of the subsequent year.
In line with a policy ratified during a cabinet meeting in March, both public and private schools in the UAE will have an academic year comprising 182 instructional days. This period includes two shorter breaks and an extended summer vacation. The academic year is divided into three terms, each punctuated by a break.
The first term starts in September and runs until early December, followed by a three-week winter break until December 11, 2023. The second term wraps up on March 24, 2024, giving way to a three-week spring break. Additional shorter breaks are also allocated throughout the year to observe major public holidays and religious events such as Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Eid-ul-Adha.
As the UAE gears up for another academic year, the anticipation is palpable among students, teachers, and parents alike. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be filled with excitement and preparation as the countdown to the first day of school continues.
