As Diwali approaches this November, many Indian curriculum schools across the UAE are finding creative ways to help families celebrate the Festival of Lights together. By strategically aligning school breaks with the weekend, institutions like GEMS Our Own Indian School in Dubai and Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi are offering students a rare four-day hiatus. Principals emphasize that these breaks are carefully balanced against strict instructional day requirements, ensuring that students can partake in traditional festivities and reconnect with their families without compromising their academic obligations or violating regulatory guidelines.

However, this extended time off is not universal across all emirates. For instance, the Sharjah Indian School faces different operational challenges due to the specific four-day work week structure in Sharjah. Because the current academic calendar is more compressed, officials noted that there is no longer the luxury of the "buffer days" that previously allowed for extra festive holidays. While some students will enjoy a longer weekend, others will find that their school schedule remains unchanged to ensure the extensive CBSE curriculum is fully covered within the limited teaching days available.