Students across the UAE will return to schools for just three days — Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday — following the extended Eid Al Etihad break. The Ministry of Education had announced closures on Monday and Tuesday, creating a short instructional window before the mid-year holiday and UAE National Day celebrations. Educators and parents have expressed mixed expectations about attendance, with some citing mandatory exams while others anticipate lower turnout. Schools are balancing academic schedules with holiday preparations to ensure productive use of the brief period. The short return highlights challenges in managing the school calendar around national and religious observances.
Attendance and Academic Planning
At Bashair Private School, Principal Sawsan Tarabishy said most students are expected to attend despite the brief three-day window. “Although it’s a very short period, our students will most likely comply with attendance, especially on Thursday, because they have the national education exam,” she said. Revision sessions and exam preparation activities have been scheduled to make the days productive.
Conversely, some schools anticipate lower turnout. Ehab Mohamed, head of curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 at another private school, noted, “From my experience, I don’t expect the three school days between the two breaks to be productive. Some families may have winter break plans, so I expect only half the turnout.” Despite this, he emphasized the value of attendance for maintaining practical skills and discipline.
Quotes and Reactions
Parents are also weighing the benefits of attending for just three days. Rawan Fawaz, mother of three students, commented, “There is no point for the students to go back to school for three days only; however, I would not allow my children to skip classes. It is good for them to learn discipline and the concept of working hours.” She noted that her children’s schools are offering extra credit opportunities and project work during the short period, encouraging students to attend.
Educators emphasize that adherence to ministry regulations is critical. Schools following ministerial curricula require mandatory attendance, with absences reported directly to authorities. Non-routine activities, revisions, and project-based sessions are being scheduled to ensure the days remain academically meaningful.
Academic and Attendance Considerations
The brief return between Eid Al Etihad and the mid-year holiday could affect overall productivity. Schools with exams scheduled during this period are likely to see higher attendance, while others may experience reduced engagement. Analysts highlight that planning for these short instructional windows is essential to maintaining continuity in learning, especially ahead of the UAE National Day celebrations and winter break.
The situation also underscores challenges for families balancing travel plans, holidays, and academic requirements. Maintaining attendance and productive classroom time is considered critical for exam preparation and student performance, especially in private and international schools where schedules are more flexible.
Holiday Schedules and Activities
Following the three-day instructional window, students will begin their mid-year winter holiday in mid-December. Schools are preparing post-Eid academic support, revision programs, and UAE National Day celebrations to ensure continuity of learning and student engagement. Families are encouraged to coordinate with schools regarding attendance, exams, and extracurricular activities during this transitional period.
Sources
Ministry of Education, UAE
Bashair Private School Official Communications
Us Weekly / Parent and Educator Interviews
Emirates News Agency (WAM)
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