UAE's 1-Month Winter Break: Why Some Schools Will Not Get the Full 4-Week Holiday

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UAE’s 1-Month Winter Break

The UAE has announced a one-month winter break for most schools, starting in early December 2025. However, not all schools will be following the full holiday schedule. Many Indian and Pakistani prospectus schools will continue usual classes into the second week of December because their moot year follows a dissimilar system. This has created confusion for many parents, especially Pakistani families living in the UAE. Below is a complete guide explanation why some schools get the full break, why others do not, and how this affects students, educators, and parents.

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Quick Information Table for UAE’s 1-Month Winter Break

Program / System	Start Date of Winter Break	End Date of Winter Break	Total Duration	Application / Policy Type
UAE Unified Academic Calendar (Public + Private Schools)	8 December 2025	4 January 2026	4 weeks	Automatically applied to all schools under the unified system
Indian & Pakistani Curriculum Schools (April–March system)	15 December 2025	5 January 2026	Around 3 weeks	Follow home-country exam schedules; no special application required

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What the Unified Calendar Says for 2025–2026

Standard Winter Break for Most Schools

The UAE’s 1-Month Winter Break Ministry of Education has issued a unified academic calendar for all public and private schools that follow the September–June academic cycle.
Under this system:

Term 1 of the 2025–26 school year ends on 8 December 2025.
Winter break begins on the same day.
Classes resume on 4 January 2026 after a full month off.

This schedule applies to:

British curriculum schools
American curriculum schools
IB schools
Most international private schools

These schools operate on a September start and are fully aligned with the UAE’s new unified system.

Why Asian Curriculum Schools Have a Different Schedule

Indian and Pakistani Schools Follow an April–March Year

Indian and Pakistani schools in the UAE operate differently. They follow the same academic calendar used in their home countries, which runs from April to March.

Why They Cannot Switch Immediately

School leaders explain that:

Their academic cycle is already set for the year
Term 2 normally ends in mid-December
Students are preparing for board exams
They must complete 182 instructional days, as required by education authorities

This is why they cannot adopt the UAE’s new break period until their next academic year starts in April 2026.

What This Means Practically

Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools will follow their old schedule for one final year:

Winter break starts 15 December 2025
Classes resume 5 January 2026

So their holiday is one week shorter than other UAE schools.

Are Schools Expecting More Absences This Year?

Schools Say Absences Will Stay Normal

According to teachers and principals:

Absentee requests are usually low
Parents increasingly respect attendance rules
Schools grant leave only for valid reasons like weddings or emergencies

Some families may travel earlier, but schools are prepared for this.

How Teachers Are Handling Travel-Related Absences

Teachers say:

Parents are informed one month in advance about important topics
Practice worksheets are uploaded online
Key lessons are designed so children can catch up easily
Previous attendance patterns are monitored to guide parents

This helps students stay on track even if they miss a day or two.

How Indian and Pakistani Schools Use the Extra Week

Important for Exam Preparation

The first half of December is a crucial academic period, especially for students preparing for:

Board exams
Periodic assessments
Year-end revision

School leaders say this time is used carefully for student support.

Not Just Regular Classes

Teachers make December engaging by:

Organizing targeted revision
Holding assessments with prior notice to parents
Making classes enjoyable for primary and middle school students
Ensuring every day adds meaningful value

Schools are working hard so students benefit from the extra week instead of just waiting for holidays.

Conclusion

The UAE’s 1-Month Winter Break applies to most schools, nonetheless Indian and Pakistani prospectus schools must follow their established academic cycle until April 2026. This is why they twitch their break a week advanced. The difference is temporary, and from April 2026 onward, all schools will follow the same unified schedule. For now, the system ensures students whole compulsory instructional days while still getting a proper winter break.