The UAE has confirmed that schools and universities across the country will observe Spring Break from Monday, March 9, to Sunday, March 22, 2026. Classes and official working hours will restart on Monday, March 23, when students and staff return to campuses after the two-week pause.
The announcement came from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR). Officials said the decision was approved by the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council, which oversees key education policies across the country.
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Applies to all schools and universities
The spring break applies across the entire education sector in the UAE. This includes public and private schools, as well as universities and higher-education institutions operating in the country.
Students, teachers, and administrative staff are all covered under the holiday period. Educational institutions will remain closed during the two-week break, with academic and administrative work resuming once the holiday ends.
The holiday moved earlier than planned
The dates differ slightly from the original 2025–2026 academic calendar. Under the earlier schedule, spring break was expected to begin later in March.
Authorities decided to bring the break forward by about a week, setting March 9 as the new start date. The revised timeline applies nationwide, ensuring that schools and universities follow the same schedule.
Officials said the adjustment helps maintain a unified approach across the UAE’s education system, covering both school and higher-education sectors.
Classes resume on March 23
Students and education staff will return to schools and universities on Monday, March 23, 2026, when normal academic activities resume across the country.
The spring break remains part of the UAE’s unified academic calendar, which sets standard term dates and holidays for schools and higher-education institutions nationwide.
