Several UAE schools have updated Friday schedules, allowing students to leave much earlier. Dismissals now begin from 11:10am, giving families more time for prayer and rest across the country nationwide.
Earlier Fridays for students as UAE schools update timings
Schools throughout the UAE have started informing parents about changes to Friday schedules, confirming that students will be dismissed earlier to align with the country’s newly unified Friday prayer timings, according to insider18. The updates have been shared through emails and official circulars, outlining revised dismissal hours, lesson adjustments and transport arrangements.
While exact dismissal times differ between schools, several campuses have confirmed that students will be released as early as 11.10am. In many cases, pick-up schedules have been moved forward by up to half an hour. To accommodate the change, schools have restructured lesson durations, adjusted break periods where necessary and modified bus departure times to ensure smooth transitions at the end of the school day.
Private schools have also notified families that, starting January 9, 2026, Friday classes will conclude no later than 11.30am. Many institutions have issued detailed, school-specific instructions to help parents and students prepare. GEMS Our Own Indian School, for instance, informed parents that students using private transport would be dismissed between 11.10am and 11.20am, while those relying on school buses would depart at 11.20am. The school explained that the revised schedule is designed to give students sufficient time to prepare for Friday prayers, adding that the Ministry of Education aims to reinforce religious and national values through such adjustments.
Jumeirah College also confirmed that all students will leave campus by 11.30am on Fridays. In its communication to parents, the school said lesson periods would be slightly shortened to allow for the earlier finish, while break times would remain unchanged to meet KHDA guidelines and support student wellbeing.
Dubai International Academy – Emirates Hills shared similar updates, stating that both primary and secondary students will finish at 11.30am every Friday. The school has maintained its usual dismissal procedures, with minor changes to reflect the earlier end to the day. A revised bell schedule was circulated, showing lessons ending at 11.20am, followed by a brief pack-up period before dismissal.
Other schools have highlighted efforts to balance operational changes with academic continuity. Al Sadiq Islamic English School informed parents that its gates would open at 11.25am for student collection. The school said its Friday timetable had been carefully reworked to ensure learning objectives and curriculum standards remain intact, while confirming that student attendance will continue to be recorded on Fridays.
Overall, schools say the revised schedules aim to respect religious observances while maintaining educational quality and minimizing disruption for students and families.
Early Friday dismissal updates are not limited to Dubai, with schools in Abu Dhabi also notifying parents of similar schedule changes, insider18 has learned. Several private schools in the capital have begun circulating messages confirming revised Friday hours in line with the country’s updated prayer timings.
In one such communication, a private school informed families that all students, from Pre-KG through Grade 12, will attend classes from 8am until 11.30am on Fridays, starting January 9. Parents were told that revised timetables reflecting the shorter school day would be shared ahead of the changes taking effect, allowing families adequate time to prepare for the new routine.
Government schools have also been directed to adjust their Friday schedules. Authorities have instructed public schools to conclude the school day by 11.30am on Fridays. To support smooth operations, staggered start times have already been announced across kindergarten levels and different school cycles, helping to manage student flow, transportation and staffing requirements.
These changes come after the nationwide adjustment to Friday prayer timings, which now begin at 12.45pm — half an hour earlier than the previous schedule. Education authorities and school operators say the revised school hours are intended to ensure students, families and staff have sufficient time to observe religious obligations without unnecessary pressure or disruption.
Earlier, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) had clarified that schools educating students in Grade 6 (Year 7) and above may apply for permission to offer online learning on Fridays. This option, however, is subject to regulatory approval and requires consultation with parents before implementation. The flexibility is intended to help schools adapt their schedules while maintaining academic continuity and supporting family needs.
As the January 9 rollout date draws closer, schools across the UAE are continuing to communicate closely with parents. Many are expected to issue further circulars and emails in the coming days, outlining school-specific dismissal times, transport arrangements and any changes to lesson structures.
Education leaders say the coordinated approach reflects a broader effort to align school operations with national decisions, while ensuring that learning standards remain intact. With both private and government schools adjusting timetables, parents are being encouraged to stay updated through official school communications to avoid confusion during the transition.
According to insider18, the widespread revisions highlight how education authorities and schools are working together to balance academic requirements, logistical planning and cultural considerations across the country.
