UAE schools adopt four-day phased return for 2026-27 academic year start

Students in the UAE will return to school in stages over four days under a Ministry of Education plan. The phased return will run from Monday, August 31, to Thursday, September 3, with individual schools deciding which year groups attend on each day. Students scheduled to attend during that period will follow reduced school hours. All students will then return on Friday, September 4, under the regular Friday timetable. The plan gives principals flexibility to rearrange the sequence of year groups or increase the number of days students attend during the phased period, depending on each school's readiness and needs. Schools must co-ordinate any changes with transport providers. Kindergarten pupils attending from Monday to Thursday will be in school from 8.15am to 11.30am. For Cycle 1, schools have two scheduling options: either 7.15am to 11.15am from Monday to Thursday, or 8.15am to 12.15pm. Boys in Cycles 2 and 3 will attend from 7.15am to 12.15pm during the four-day phased return. Girls in Cycles 2 and 3 will attend from 8.15am to 1.15pm from Monday to Thursday.