Although the new academic year is just underway, families in Dubai should double-check their school calendars, as several private institutions have adjusted their October half-term dates. To stay in line with the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) guidelines, many schools have shifted their five-day break forward by one week. The official mid-term holiday is now set for October 12 to October 16, 2026. When accounting for the weekends before and after, students will effectively have a nine-day stretch away from the classroom, returning to their studies on Monday, October 19.

This transition toward a unified calendar means that many families who had planned for a later holiday—originally expected to fall between October 19 and 23—will need to update their schedules accordingly. While these changes affect schools following the MoE-aligned framework, it is important to note that institutions with alternative curricula or different emirate-level regulations may still maintain their own specific holiday patterns. To avoid any travel complications or scheduling conflicts, parents are strongly encouraged to verify the latest approved dates directly through their child’s school portal before booking flights or finalizing any holiday plans.