UAE Schools Introduce Extended Winter Break

Four-Week Winter Break for Students in 2025

The education system in the United Arab Emirates is entering a new era: for the 2025/26 school year, a unified school calendar will include a four-week winter break for the first time. Students can begin their holiday on December 8th and enjoy the extended break until January 4th, 2026. This break is a week longer than the usual winter holiday, yet schools’ leaders emphasize that the mandated 182 teaching days and curriculum completion remain assured.

Why the longer break?

The aim of the unified school calendar is to harmonize school operations throughout the country. This not only enhances educational organization efficiency but also allows families to plan ahead. The four-week winter break offers students, educators, and families the opportunity to truly unwind after the end-of-year hustle, without compromising educational quality.

Education doesn’t stop – it transforms

Several institutions began preparations months in advance to ensure the longer winter break doesn’t disrupt the school year. Schools pay special attention to covering key topics in time and implement various solutions to maintain continuity in the learning process.

Classes have become more focused: less digression, more targeted knowledge transfer characterize the education. Additionally, several institutions have introduced ‘learning journey’ maps, which transparently outline the curriculum covered during the period for parents and students. This not only boosts student motivation but also actively involves parents in the learning process.

Supplementary learning opportunities during the break

Though the primary goal of the winter break is relaxation, several schools offer optional learning opportunities for students. These include:

- Online reading challenges,

- Short, pre-recorded educational videos,

- Math practice exercises,

- Small group tutoring for exam-grade students.

These alternatives aren’t mandatory but aid in maintaining knowledge levels and deepening understanding for those wanting to actively learn during the break.

Diagnostics and readjustment in January

After a four-week break, it’s natural for students to need a brief “restart” upon returning. Several schools plan to host a “Reboot & Recall” week in early January, where quick assessments, targeted mini-lessons, and differentiated group work help students get back into the rhythm of learning. This is particularly important for exam-grade students, where the curriculum's depth and pace require tight scheduling.

International examples and research back the decision

Educational institutions are not alone in this approach. In many international systems – like in the United States – a four-week winter break or an extended summer break is common practice. Research shows learning loss primarily occurs when students are out of education for more than six weeks. As the winter break is only four weeks and the school year still includes 182 teaching days, the learning duration remains unchanged.

The role of parents and educators is heightened

During the extended winter break, parents can take on a more active role in supporting their children’s education. Schools often provide one-page “study maps” summarizing the key topics for the upcoming semester. This allows families to better foresee what to expect regarding their child’s school performance.

It’s also crucial for educators to get proper rest, but many participate in background work, preparing educational materials, and conducting optional online or in-person sessions during the break.

What does this mean long-term?

The introduction of a four-week winter break is part of a longer-term educational reform that has been gradually occurring in the UAE in recent years. The unified school calendar, AI integration, expansion of multilingual education, and experience-based learning all aim to equip students to face the challenges of the 21st century upon graduation.

As a result of flexible adaptation to changes, targeted teaching methods, and closer collaboration with families, the four-week winter break doesn’t weaken but rather strengthens educational quality in the UAE over the long term.

Summary

The four-week winter break of the 2025/26 school year is not merely another opportunity for rest but a well-thought-out organizational step backed by strong strategy and international experience. The goal is not less learning, but a more efficient learning process, greater parental involvement, and improved mental health for both students and educators.

This new schedule also offers a great opportunity for families to build deeper connections with one another during the end-of-year period, while schools ensure that the school year’s objectives are fully met.

(Source of the article: Ministry of Education statement.)