UAE Opens Nine New Schools by 2025

New State Schools to Open in UAE: Educational Advancements by 2025/26

The educational system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached another milestone. By the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year, the country will open nine new state schools, while maintenance and upgrades have been performed on 465 existing schools across the nation. The aim of these comprehensive developments is to elevate the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of education to even higher levels, in line with the rapidly changing social and technological environment.

Nine New Schools Open – A Response to Growing Educational Demand

As September approaches, more than 25,000 new students will join the UAE's educational system, supported by 830 new teachers and educational staff. Accordingly, the nine newly opening state schools play a crucial role in ensuring that the increasing number of students can begin their studies in an environment with appropriate infrastructure and professional support.

The developments did not only focus on building new schools. Maintenance, renovation, and modernization projects have also been carried out in the country's 465 existing schools, ensuring each educational institution can serve students and teachers at the highest possible standard.

Logistics and Digital Support: School Buses, Laptops, Textbooks

According to data released by the ministry, 5,560 school buses have been deployed across the country as part of preparations for the new academic year. This ensures the safe and reliable transportation of students, particularly in more remote, rural areas.

As part of the increased readiness for digital education, 46,888 laptops have been distributed, especially to the high school age group. This step aligns with the UAE's long-term strategy that aims to develop digital competencies and incorporate modern technology into education.

Furthermore, over 10 million textbooks have been printed to ensure each student receives the necessary study materials on time — considering different subjects, grades, and special needs.

Central Exams Abolished – Decentralized Assessment to Follow

One of the most significant innovations by the Ministry of Education is terminating central exams starting from the 2025/26 academic year. Instead, assessments will be based on exams prepared by individual schools starting from the second semester.

This shift points to a more flexible and relevant assessment system that better considers students' individual abilities. Schools are thereby given more freedom to tailor the evaluation methods to the curriculum and the local characteristics of students.

Unified Academic Year – New Holiday Times

Previously, different emirates followed separate academic schedules, which presented challenges for families, teachers, and schools. The new unified academic structure resolves this issue: the school year begins on August 25, 2025, and ends on July 3, 2026, with the exception of private schools in Sharjah, which will close one day earlier.

The school year is divided into three main phases:

1st semester: 14 weeks

2nd semester: 9 weeks

3rd semester: 13 weeks

According to the calendar available on the Ministry of Education's website, there will be a total of 178 school days in the academic year, supplemented by longer winter and spring breaks, as well as three mid-term breaks.

The breaks are as follows:

Winter break: 4 weeks in December

Spring break: 2 weeks in March

Mid-term breaks: October, February, and May

This structure considers the mental health of students and teachers, creating a balance between teaching and rest, and providing schools with a better opportunity to organize administrative tasks.

Education as an Investment in the Future

The UAE's educational strategy clearly looks forward: infrastructure development, increasing the number of educators, integrating digital tools, and the new exam system are all intended to enable the country's youth to learn in a competitive, modern, and inclusive environment.

The steps being implemented now affect not only the current school year but will also have a long-term impact on the societal development, economic competitiveness, and the global perception of the UAE.

The return of more than 1 million students, new pupils and teachers, along with advanced infrastructure, all indicate the UAE's commitment to continually raising the standard of education — not just regionally, but globally as well.

(Source: UAE’s Ministry of Education announcement.)