UAE sets new school hours as Friday prayer time shifts nationwide
New dismissal times explained for all age groups
DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced revised Friday school hours for public schools, alongside confirmed early dismissal requirements for private schools, following a nationwide change in the Friday prayer time.
The updated schedule will come into effect from Friday, January 9, 2026, and applies across Dubai and the wider UAE. The changes are designed to ensure students and staff can complete the school day and reach home ahead of congregational prayers, now scheduled earlier in the afternoon.
أعلنت وزارة التربية والتعليم تحديث أوقات الدوام المدرسي أيام الجمعة في المدارس الحكومية، انسجاماً مع القرار الصادر بشأن تعديل أوقات صلاة الجمعة، على أن يبدأ تطبيق أوقات الدوام المدرسي الجديدة اعتباراً من يوم الجمعة 9 يناير 2026.@MOEUAEofficial pic.twitter.com/OQlva6GTws
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) January 2, 2026
Friday prayer time across the UAE has been moved forward by 30 minutes, from 1.15pm to 12.45pm, prompting education authorities to revise school timetables. Schools had already begun planning early dismissals in anticipation of the adjustment, following consultations between regulators and educational institutions.
Prayer timing shift
As of January 2, Friday prayers are held at 12.45pm nationwide. To align with this change, schools have been instructed to bring forward dismissal times, resulting in a shorter school day than the existing half-day Friday schedule, which typically ended around noon.
Public school hours
The UAE Government has confirmed new Friday timings for government schools across all emirates. The revised schedule is as follows:
Kindergarten: 8am to 11.30am
- Cycle 1:7.10am to 10.30am, or 8am to 11.30am
- Cycles 2 and 3: Boys: 7.10am to 10.30am / Girls: 8am to 11.30am
These timings will apply uniformly from January 9.
Private schools in Dubai
In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority has directed all private schools and early childhood centres operating within private schools to end the school day no later than 11.30am on Fridays. This requirement will also take effect from January 9, 2026.
In line with the adjustment of the Friday prayer time across the country to 12:45pm, and following consultations with educational institutions, effective Friday, January 9, 2026, all private schools and early childhood centres operating within private schools in Dubai will finish… pic.twitter.com/ywygPEq0pI
— KHDA | هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية بدبي (@KHDA) December 19, 2025
The authority has reiterated that the earlier dismissal applies regardless of curriculum or fee structure and is mandatory for all affected institutions.
Flexible dismissals
KHDA has confirmed that schools may implement staggered or phased dismissal arrangements on Fridays. This flexibility is intended to address operational and transport needs while ensuring curriculum requirements continue to be met, with minimal disruption to teaching and learning.
Online learning option
For students in Grade 6, also referred to as Year 7, and above, schools may seek approval to offer online learning on Fridays. This option is subject to parental consultation and formal approval from KHDA and is not automatic.
The revised Friday schedules mean parents and guardians will need to adjust pick-up and drop-off arrangements, while teachers and school administrators adapt lesson planning to the shorter on-campus day.