UAE schools and universities to close for spring break from March 9 to 22
Academic and administrative staff included in approved schedule
DUBAI – Students, teachers and administrative staff across the UAE’s education sector will begin their Spring Break on Monday, March 9, 2026.
The two-week holiday applies to both public schools and higher education institutions nationwide. Authorities confirmed that classes and official working hours will resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Announce Spring Break for Students and Academic and Administrative Staff Across Schools and Universities in UAE pic.twitter.com/bNBGom2dXw
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) March 4, 2026
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, following approval from the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council. The coordinated decision ensures a unified academic calendar across the country’s schools and universities.
Official approval
According to the authorities, the Spring Break will run from Monday, March 9, until Sunday, March 22, 2026. The schedule applies to students as well as academic and administrative staff, ensuring that campuses and institutions pause operations in line with the national academic framework.
The endorsement by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council formalises the mid-academic year recess, a fixture in the UAE’s structured school calendar. The unified timing across institutions supports consistency for families with children enrolled at different educational levels.
Nationwide observance
The break covers all schools operating under the Ministry of Education, as well as higher education institutions overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This includes both academic and operational teams, aligning teaching and administrative functions under a single holiday period.
By setting the holiday from March 9 to March 22, authorities provide students with a full two-week pause from classes before the academic term resumes. Universities and schools will reopen their doors on Monday, March 23, when lessons and official duties recommence.
Academic calendar
The Spring Break forms part of the UAE’s broader academic calendar, which structures learning periods and scheduled holidays throughout the year. The fixed reopening date ensures minimal disruption to curriculum timelines while offering a defined period of rest within the term.
With the dates now confirmed, parents, students and faculty members can plan accordingly ahead of the March recess, as educational institutions prepare to pause and then resume activities in line with the approved national schedule.