This week, over a million students in the UAE returned to school campuses to kick off the new academic year, which now includes an unprecedented four-week winter break.
The new unified academic calendar extends the winter holiday from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, adding an extra week compared to previous years. Despite this extension, schools assure that the mandatory 182-day academic schedule and curriculum delivery remain unaffected.
Faculty members have crafted comprehensive plans to keep students’ learning on course during the extended winter break. Schools are using strategic calendar arrangements, focused learning support, and optional enrichment activities to ensure curriculum continuity.
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Nav Iqbal, Principal/CEO of GEMS Metropole School, Motor City, emphasized the need for a clear and purposeful curriculum.
“To accommodate the longer winter break, we believe in a robust curriculum that’s both clear and purposeful. We’ve enhanced our curriculum with focused lessons in key subjects, integrated project-based learning during extended breaks, and increased opportunities for home learning.”
Students at the start of the new academic year at GEMS Founders School Al Barsha, Dubai. KT Photo: Neeraj Murali.
He added that initiatives such as detailed learning journeys and targeted support have been implemented to keep students and parents informed.
“Additionally, we’ve introduced detailed curriculum maps and learning journeys to ensure both students and parents know what’s being taught each year. This ensures transparency, eliminates duplication, and fosters family engagement in the learning process. Most importantly, we’ve implemented targeted interventions to bridge any curriculum gaps, ensuring every child can reach their full potential.”
At Woodlem British School, Ajman, the focus is on providing families with a meaningful break while sustaining academic momentum.
“At our school, we believe families deserve a genuine pause; children return revitalized. With a four-week winter break, we’ve reorganized learning: core concepts now, lighter inquiries in early spring,” said Principal Natalia Svetenok.
She mentioned that after the break, the school will conduct diagnostic and targeted programs to address any gaps.
“Upon returning, we’ll safeguard teaching minutes, utilize daily retrieval and interleaving, and host a ‘Reboot & Recall’ week featuring quick diagnostics, targeted mini-lessons, and small-group tutoring. Exam years receive focused clinics. The break remains optional: reading adventures, short pre-teach videos, and math fluency for those interested. Our parents receive one-page term maps.”
At Uptown International School, additional academic support mechanisms have been consistently available, even during school holidays.
Principal Colin Gerrie stressed that the school’s IB requirements remain intact.
“We take great pride in our achievement levels at Uptown International School, including our IB Diploma Programme, Career-Related Programme, and IB Certificates results,” he said.
“Despite the four-week winter break, we’ve managed to plan the 240 hours required at the IB Diploma level within the scheduled 182 days. Additionally, we offer Academic ECAs led by dedicated teachers, academic societies organized by senior students for MYP pupils, and extra sessions for exam groups during school holidays. These supplementary programs are well-established and will continue to ensure high levels of success for our students.”
Some schools have referenced international research to reassure parents that learning will not be disrupted.
Lisa Johnson, Principal of the American Academy for Girls, highlighted that such breaks are common in many educational systems.
“We still maintain a 182-day school year, so the extended four-week winter break hasn’t reduced learning time — it has simply stretched the academic year a bit. This is a standard number of days for schools in America or internationally.”
She noted that a well-planned break can benefit both students and staff.
“UAE families and staff will likely appreciate the extended break as it allows for longer home visits and a proper winter holiday. For extended breaks, we provide light practice work on our online platforms to help students maintain their skills, but we don’t anticipate this will cause any decline in learning.
“Extensive studies in the US around year-round schooling and long summer breaks show that learning loss typically occurs after six weeks away from school, so a four-week pause shouldn’t raise any concerns.”
