With holidays, spring break, and reduced Fridays aligning with Ramadan, most students will spend fewer than ten full days in regular classroom learning.
Ramadan Timetable Reshapes the School Month
As Ramadan approaches, UAE schools are getting ready for a shorter academic stretch that will significantly cut the number of full in-person teaching days for students.
According to educators across public and private schools following the national curriculum, Ramadan is expected to begin on February 19 and will include 12 full holiday days. When schools factor in reduced Fridays and end-of-term assessments, administrators estimate that students will attend no more than eight full classroom teaching days during the month.
How the holidays line up this year
School leaders say the 2026 academic calendar intentionally limits disruption by aligning Ramadan with existing breaks.
Over the course of the month:
- Six days fall on regular weekly holidays
- Six days overlap with the spring break, which marks the end of Term 2
- Four Fridays will run on sharply reduced hours or switch to remote learning
As a result, schools will concentrate most instructional days in the early part of Ramadan. In contrast, the latter half of the month will focus largely on assessments rather than full-day classroom teaching.
Reduced Fridays and remote learning
Official schedules show that Fridays falling on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th days of Ramadan will either run for shortened sessions of 90 to 150 minutes or shift entirely to distance learning, subject to school approval.
At the same time, many school leaders expect the Ministry of Education to reinstate the “Ramadan with the Family” initiative. Under this framework, schools designate Fridays for remote learning, allowing students to stay home while continuing light academic engagement.
Educators say the initiative supports the Year of the Family by encouraging quality time at home, while still reinforcing core learning through guided educational, cultural, and religious activities linked to the curriculum.
Teaching continuity remains a priority
Despite fewer in-person school days, teachers say the structured calendar helps avoid repeated lesson disruptions, which can prove more challenging than a shorter but well-planned schedule.
By clustering holidays and assessments, schools aim to preserve learning continuity while easing pressure on fasting students and families.
In previous years, the ministry has also issued detailed guidance for parents and students on making remote Fridays productive, including reading, project work, and faith-based learning aligned with academic outcomes.
Advisory for Parents in Private Schools
Private schools offering foreign curricula have cautioned parents against extending holidays beyond the mid-term break, which runs until February 15.
School administrators warned that the first week back coincides with the start of Ramadan and that low attendance during this period can disrupt lesson delivery and assessment preparation.
They stressed that regular attendance remains essential, even with shortened schedules.
Changes to Daily School Life
Schools confirmed that:
• Extracurricular activities will be suspended during Ramadan
• School canteens will close, though water stations will remain available
• Parents of non-fasting children should ensure packed meals are provided
These measures aim to respect the fasting environment while maintaining student wellbeing.
A Shorter Month, By Design
Educators say the reduced number of full school days is not accidental but intentional. By aligning Ramadan with holidays and spring break, the calendar offers students breathing room without compromising academic progression.
For families, the message is clear. Ramadan this year will be lighter on classroom hours, but attendance, planning, and engagement still matter in the weeks that count.
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Source: Gulf News
