Dubai Schools Shorten Fridays for Balance

Dubai's New Friday School Schedule: Changes from January 2026 for Private Schools

From January 2026, a new timetable will begin in Dubai's private schools: classes in every school and affiliated early childhood institutions will finish by 11:30 AM on Fridays. This change isn't merely an administrative decision but follows a wide-ranging social consultation, taking into account religious and community needs, potentially redefining the balance between education and family life in the long term.

Background of the Decision: Relocation of Friday Prayer Time

The government of the United Arab Emirates will shift the Friday prayer time to 12:45 PM from January 2, 2026. This means the prayer will start 30 minutes earlier than the previous time of 1:15 PM. This change follows several years of social surveys and feedback, examining changes in working hours, family rhythms, and community practices. The aim was to make it easier for people to reconcile work, school, and religious practices.

Role of KHDA in the Change

The Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) played a crucial role in implementing the new regulation. The educational authority developed the new framework by involving schools and parents, paying special attention to ensuring student well-being, fulfilling curriculum requirements, and guaranteeing the safe supervision of children in all cases.

The KHDA made it clear that schools cannot hold classes after 11:30 AM on Fridays, while the current teaching schedule remains unchanged from Monday to Thursday. This means educational institutions must rearrange the weekly curriculum so that extended classes are not held on Fridays.

Opportunity for Online Education for Higher Grades

An important addition to the new regulation is that from the sixth grade onwards, schools can apply to conduct online education on Fridays. This requires not only KHDA approval but also parental agreement. This hybrid solution can provide greater flexibility for high school students while requiring the provision of technical conditions for home learning.

Why Is This Change Important?

Friday is the holiest day in the Islamic world, where the Jumu'ah prayer plays a prominent role. The new system allows students and teachers to reach the prayer on time while also meeting academic requirements. This step can be advantageous not only from a religious perspective but also socially: more time is available for family, community events, or even recreation.

Furthermore, it opens up new possibilities for educational institutions to integrate digital education. Online Friday teaching can be especially attractive in schools where the density of the curriculum, preparation for international exams, or a competitive education model justifies holding Friday classes—but no longer within traditional school frameworks.

How Does This Affect Families and Students?

Shortened Friday teaching creates an opportunity for families to organize joint programs, have longer lunches, or participate in community religious events. However, it can also pose challenges for working parents who have work obligations on Fridays. Schools must therefore ensure safe supervision for children remaining after lessons.

For students, the change can even be motivating, as a shorter Friday can make the curriculum more digestible, reduce stress, and increase concentration on Fridays.

Steps for Implementing the System

The KHDA made it clear that the change will take effect on January 9, meaning that from the first teaching week of the new year, all private schools must adapt. Preparation of institutions starts months ahead to allow time for rescheduling timetables, testing digital systems, conducting parent forums, and adequately informing staff.

The goal is for teaching, learning, and school operations to remain seamless even during the transition to the new system.

Social and Long-Term Effects

The change aligns well with the United Arab Emirates' efforts to harmonize religious values with modern educational principles. In recent years, several similar initiatives have been introduced, such as the four-day school week in some emirates or the re-regulation of homework.

The shortening of Friday teaching is thus not just a technical modification but part of a new approach that considers community lifestyle, religious practices, and innovation opportunities in education.

Summary

From January 2026, Dubai private schools will operate under a new schedule on Fridays: teaching ends at the latest by 11:30 AM, and online education is possible at higher grade levels. The decision aligns with changes in religious timings and aims to enable a more balanced, community-focused school operation. During the transition, KHDA is working closely with schools to ensure the change is seamless and beneficial for all involved. This step is another stage in the continuous development of Dubai's educational system, which continues to focus on flexibility, student well-being, and respect for community values.

(Based on a statement from Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).)