UAE Schools Adopt New Friday Schedule

Change in Education: New Friday School Schedule Implemented in UAE

The government of the United Arab Emirates has announced a new regulation regarding the Friday schedules of public schools, which will come into effect on January 9, 2026. This decision is closely related to the nationwide modification of Friday prayer time, which has now been moved to 12:45. As a result, educational institutions, both in the public and private sectors, have been forced to reorganize their Friday schedule to align with the new time for religious practice.

What Changes in Public Schools?

According to the new schedule, education in public schools will conclude much earlier on Fridays. The schedule released by the Ministry of Education is as follows:

Kindergartens: 8:00 – 11:30

Cycle 1: Two options available:

7:10 – 10:30

8:00 – 11:30

Cycles 2 and 3:

Boys: 7:10 – 10:30

Girls: 8:00 – 11:30

This differentiated approach allows institutions to adapt education to the age of the students, their daily rhythm, and local logistical circumstances, while respecting the traditions associated with the Islamic Friday prayer.

What About Private Schools in Dubai?

Within Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has previously indicated that private schools and their kindergarten units must also adapt to the new schedule. According to this, classes must conclude no later than 11:30 on Fridays in all private schools.

KHDA emphasized that the change is not only administrative but also plays an important role in supporting community life and religious practices. They applied a flexible approach in consultation with private institutions, considering the diversity of schools and various curricular structures.

Online Education Opportunity for Older Students

For students in Grade 6 and above—typically the high school age group—there is also an option to continue learning online on Fridays. However, this is only permitted if the respective school has previously consulted with parents and received approval from the KHDA. This hybrid solution can be particularly beneficial for schools following international curricula, where weekly teaching schedules align with practices in other countries.

Why Was the Change Needed?

The nationwide modification of Friday prayer time is not only significant from a religious perspective but also has social and logistical consequences. The aim of the decision is to allow believers to participate in community prayers more comfortably and orderly, while maintaining structured and efficient functioning in other areas of life, such as education.

The change was preceded by extensive consultations, during which educational authorities, school leaders, and parent communities could express their opinions. As a result, a system was created that introduces the new practice with minimal disruption.

Impact on Families and Community

The shorter Friday school day offers a longer weekend experience for students and their families, as Friday-Saturday remains the official weekend in the UAE. This way, every educational institution concludes daily teaching before noon on Fridays, allowing for shared family lunches, religious programs, or leisure activities.

This change can particularly positively impact families for whom participation in community life and religious practices is important. The flexibility of schools also creates an opportunity for the quality of education to remain intact, while better accommodating the needs of students and their parents.

Looking Ahead: Possible New Trends

This decision may only be the beginning of a broader educational structural transformation, considering the constantly changing needs of the religious and social environment. It is conceivable that in the future, more schools will adopt flexible, online learning formats for Fridays, especially in upper grades where students are more independent and comfortable with digital tools.

Meanwhile, rethinking teachers' working hours and the weekly distribution of curricula may also become timely, especially if the shortened Friday school day needs to remain sustainable in the long term without compromising the quality of education.

Summary

The new Friday schedule, effective from January 9, 2026, is a significant step in the UAE's education system, striving to align religious requirements with the demands of modern education. Coordination between public and private schools, the possibility of digital learning, and consideration of parental and community needs all indicate that the country is serious about ensuring the flexibility and efficiency of education. This change not only affects the schedules of students but may also have a deeper impact on family life and social balance—equally in Dubai and the other emirates of the UAE.

(The article is based on a statement from the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).)