Dubai schools must follow new academic calendar

Dubai - A new academic calendar issued by the UAE cabinet will apply to all private schools in Dubai from the start of the new academic year.

A circular issued to schools by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) stated: “All private schools must adhere to the dates as specified in the unified academic calendar.”

According to the calendar, schools will resume after the summer break on August 30, 2015. School authorities will be given the flexibility of adjusting their commencement and end of academic year date by one week, after obtaining approvals from the KHDA.

Schools have also been instructed to ensure a minimum of 188 school days, including a minimum of 175 instruction days.

“The purpose of these guidelines is to establish expectations for the new academic year, across all private schools in Dubai, based on best practice. In this way, schools can fully meet the requirements of the offered curriculum and accommodate the administration of associated external exams,” the circular stated.

While the rules will come into effect only from the onset of the new academic year, schools have already been instructed to submit their academic calendar to the KHDA for approval.

Government and public holiday schedules will strictly apply to private schools. Eid and National Day holidays will be applicable in accordance with the official dates announced by the government.

 muaz@khaleejtimes.com