UAE schools have completed exams and organized field trips as students prepare for an extended winter break, combining academic closure with recreational activities to ensure a balanced end-of-term experience.
UAE schools have completed exams and organized field trips as students prepare for an extended winter break, combining academic closure with recreational activities to ensure a balanced end-of-term experience.
With roughly a month remaining before the extended winter holidays, schools across the UAE are full of energy and activity.
The final weeks of the term are filled with parent-teacher conferences, end-of-term exams, field trips, and holiday-themed events, as teachers, students, and parents gear up to wrap up a busy academic period.
This year, schools following international curricula in the UAE will have an extended winter holiday of almost four weeks, surpassing the typical three-week break. The holiday kicks off with National Day celebrations on December 2 and 3, and the main winter break runs from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Classes are set to resume on January 5, allowing students additional time for rest, travel, and participation in national and community events.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) had earlier sanctioned a standardized academic calendar for both public and private schools for the 2025–2026 academic year, which commenced on August 25. Schools following Asian curricula, starting in April, follow slightly different timelines to accommodate their home-country board exam schedules.
At Woodlem American School in Ajman, Principal Marah Kaddoura mentioned that the last weeks of the term involve juggling multiple tasks—completing lessons, assessments, and meetings while getting ready for upcoming events.
She highlighted that the school is “dedicated to finishing the planned curriculum and associated activities, with the Parent–Teacher Meeting set before the final exams.”
Despite the busy schedule, she emphasized that “clear communication and an organized calendar” help staff manage their responsibilities effectively. Additionally, preparations for the National Day celebration at the end of November are in full swing, adding to the festive atmosphere.
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At Credence High School in Dubai, CEO-Principal Deepika Thapar Singh shared that the initial round of PTMs for Grades 2 to 12 has wrapped up, with sessions for Early Years scheduled in December.
“With the pleasant weather arriving, our students are engaging in enriching field trips across the UAE and beyond,” she said, noting that annual concerts and sports days are also underway to “celebrate talent, teamwork, and the joy of our school community.”
While younger students explore learning outdoors, older students remain focused on academics. Singh highlighted that “Grades 10 and 12 continue their academic progress as they prepare for pre-board exams,” emphasizing that all levels of the school “advance together, maintaining a seamless and well-rounded learning experience.”
For the first time, the initiative has brought its light installations to locations recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List.”
“Presented under the theme The Light Compass, the Al Ain program showcases light-centered creations by six Emirati and international artists — Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Khalid Shafar, Maitha Hamdan, Abdalla Almulla, Ammar Al Attar, and Christian Brinkmann. Their works merge art, cultural heritage, nature, and technology, leading visitors on an immersive journey of sound, light, and space beneath the historic palm trees.”
