More than 1.277 million students returned to classrooms across the United Arab Emirates on Monday, August 31, as the 2026-2027 academic year officially began. Over 1,180 public and private schools implementing the Ministry of Education curriculum opened their doors, welcoming students at every educational stage, including 26,700 pupils attending school for the very first time.
Ahead of the new term, more than 24,000 teachers and administrative staff completed specialised training after returning to work on August 24, finalising timetables, preparing classrooms and reviewing transport and safety plans. The Ministry of Education also opened 11 new schools and educational complexes, deployed over 5,800 school buses, and distributed close to 8 million textbooks nationwide.
To help students adjust smoothly, the first four school days feature a phased return with shortened hours before full attendance and normal school hours begin on Friday, September 4. The academic year will run for 185 school days divided into three terms of 67, 60 and 58 days respectively.
A notable reform this year removes traditional homework for children from Kindergarten through Grade 2 in Ministry schools. Instead, these younger students will be encouraged to read daily at home to build early literacy skills. Schools are also placing greater emphasis on early assessment, project-based learning, and a balanced approach to digital tools in the classroom.
The first morning of the new academic year brought a mix of emotions across the country, from bittersweet goodbyes between parents and children to joyful reunions between old friends. Welcome-back activities and orientation sessions greeted students at gates nationwide as families settled into new routines for the year ahead.