Schools across the UAE have confirmed revised Friday schedules, with classes ending earlier than usual and student dismissals beginning from 11.10am as part of updated weekly timetables.
UAE schools announce shorter Fridays with dismissals starting at 11.10am.
Students at GEMS Founders School in Al Barsha returned to their classrooms on January 5, 2026, marking the end of the winter vacation and the resumption of the academic term. Photo: Shihab
Educational institutions across the UAE have begun formally notifying parents about revised Friday schedules, confirming that students will be dismissed earlier than usual as schools adjust operations to reflect the country’s newly standardised Friday prayer timing. The announcements, delivered through emails, circulars, and parent portals, signal a coordinated shift across both private and government schools.
The move follows the national revision of Friday prayer time, which now begins at 12.45pm—half an hour earlier than before. To ensure students, staff, and families have adequate time to prepare for prayers and travel arrangements, schools have restructured the Friday school day, introducing earlier dismissal times and adjusted lesson schedules.
While the overarching directive is consistent nationwide, the exact dismissal times differ depending on each school’s operational needs, student population, and transport arrangements. Some schools have confirmed that students will be released as early as 11.10am, while others have set dismissal closer to 11.30am. In many cases, pick-up times have been moved forward by as much as 30 minutes, requiring parents and transport providers to adjust routines accordingly.
To accommodate these changes, schools have revised multiple aspects of the school day. Lesson durations have been shortened, bell schedules restructured, dismissal procedures modified, and school bus timetables adjusted. Administrators say these measures are designed to minimise disruption to learning while ensuring compliance with the new prayer schedule.
Private schools across the UAE have informed families that, effective January 9, 2026, Friday classes will conclude no later than 11.30am. Several institutions have gone a step further by issuing detailed, school-specific guidance to help parents plan ahead.
GEMS Our Own Indian School, for example, circulated a notice outlining precise dismissal arrangements. According to the school, students who rely on private transportation will be dismissed in phases between 11.10am and 11.20am, while those using the school bus service will depart at 11.20am. The staggered approach is intended to ease congestion at school gates and ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the earlier dismissal window.
In its communication, the school explained that the revised schedule is meant to allow students sufficient time to prepare for Friday prayers. It added that aligning school hours with religious observances reflects the Ministry of Education’s broader goal of reinforcing religious and national values as foundational elements of a student’s character and personal development.
Other schools have issued similar statements emphasising both logistical planning and student wellbeing. Jumeirah College informed parents that all students will be dismissed by 11.30am every Friday. The school said that while lesson periods would be slightly shortened to allow for the earlier end to the school day, break times would remain unchanged. This decision, the school noted, was made in accordance with Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) guidelines and with consideration for students’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Dubai International Academy – Emirates Hills also confirmed early Friday dismissals, stating that both primary and secondary students will finish the school day at 11.30am. The school shared a revised bell schedule with families, showing lessons ending by 11.20am, followed by a brief packing-up period before dismissal. Existing dismissal procedures will continue, albeit adjusted to reflect the earlier finish.
Some schools have placed particular emphasis on maintaining academic standards despite the shortened schedule. Al Sadiq Islamic English School, in a circular to parents, said the school gate would open at 11.25am for student collection. The school reassured families that its revised Friday timetable had been carefully designed to ensure that curriculum objectives and learning outcomes remain fully intact. It also confirmed that attendance will continue to be recorded on Fridays, underscoring that the day remains a formal instructional day despite the reduced hours.
The early-dismissal trend is not limited to Dubai. Similar notifications have been issued by schools in Abu Dhabi and other emirates. In one message shared with parents, a private school in the capital confirmed that Friday classes will run from 8am to 11.30am for all students, from Pre-KG through Grade 12, starting January 9. The school said updated timetables would be shared with families ahead of implementation to ensure a smooth transition.
Government schools are also implementing the revised Friday schedule. Authorities have instructed public schools to end the school day by 11.30am on Fridays. To manage operational demands, staggered start times across kindergarten and different school cycles had already been announced earlier, allowing schools to maintain efficiency while adapting to the new timetable.
Education officials say the coordinated approach is intended to ensure consistency across the country while allowing individual schools the flexibility to manage their specific circumstances. By aligning school schedules with the updated prayer timing, authorities aim to support religious observance without compromising educational quality.
Earlier, the KHDA had indicated that schools catering to students in Grade 6 (Year 7) and above may apply for permission to offer online learning on Fridays. Such arrangements would be subject to parental consultation and regulatory approval, providing schools with additional flexibility where appropriate. While some schools are exploring this option, many have opted to continue with in-person instruction, adjusting schedules instead.
Parents have generally welcomed the clarity provided by early communication, though many are still adjusting to the practical implications of earlier pick-ups and altered routines. Schools have encouraged families to review circulars carefully and to reach out with questions regarding transport, supervision, and after-school arrangements.
As the January 9 rollout date approaches, more schools across the UAE are expected to issue formal notices confirming their specific Friday schedules. Education authorities and school administrators alike have stressed the importance of clear communication during the transition, noting that early planning and cooperation between schools and families will be key to ensuring the changes are implemented smoothly.
The revised Friday timetable represents a significant operational shift for schools, parents, and students alike. However, education leaders say the changes reflect the UAE’s ongoing efforts to balance academic priorities with cultural and religious values, ensuring that the school environment continues to support the holistic development of students in a rapidly evolving social landscape.
