The United Arab Emirates has approved a new schedule for public schools starting in the 2025-26 academic year, setting fresh start and end times for students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
According to the Ministry of Education, students will now be split into two groups with staggered arrival and dismissal times.
The first group will begin at 7:15 a.m. and finish around 2 p.m. The second group, depending on grade level, will start at 8 a.m. and end between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Officials say the revised timetable is designed to give schools more flexibility in managing facilities and resources. It is also expected to ease traffic congestion during rush hours, reduce parking and transport problems, and make school routines more convenient for families.
Under the new plan, kindergarten students will have 24 periods per week, lower primary students will have 32, while upper primary and secondary students will have 36. Each class will last 40 to 45 minutes. Schools can arrange breaks, assemblies and transitions based on their own needs.
The ministry says the move aims to ensure discipline, reduce overcrowding in and around schools, and create a better learning environment tailored to different age groups.
