CBSE cancels Class 10 exams across Gulf as UAE schools adjust academic calendar
Early spring break announced for Dubai private schools; Sharjah delays new academic year for Indian and Pakistani schools
DUBAI – The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled all Class 10 examinations scheduled across several Gulf countries, while UAE education authorities introduced a series of adjustments to school calendars, including early spring breaks, distance learning and delayed academic year starts.
The Indian board confirmed on Thursday that all Class 10 exams scheduled from March 7 to March 11, 2026, in UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled. Exams earlier postponed on March 2, March 5 and March 6 have also been officially cancelled.
Important Update on Class X/XII Exams – Middle East Regions
— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) March 5, 2026
CBSE has issued Circular-3 today regarding the Class X & XII Board Exams in the Middle East regions.
Details are in the attached Circular pic.twitter.com/47fce24mDz
At the same time, the board announced that the Class 12 examination scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, has been postponed.
Exam changes
The decision affects thousands of students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools across the Gulf region. While the board cancelled the remaining Class 10 exams entirely, it clarified that only the scheduled Class 12 paper on March 7 has been postponed, with a revised date expected to be announced later.
Education authorities and schools across the UAE subsequently issued new instructions and adjustments to academic schedules, examinations and term completion procedures.
Dubai spring break
In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that the spring break for all private schools will begin earlier than scheduled.
The break will start on Monday, March 9, and continue until Sunday, March 22, 2026, with classes and school operations resuming on Monday, March 23.
في ضوء التطورات الإقليمية الجارية، تقرَّر تمديد الدراسة إلى نظام التعلّم عن بُعد، كإجراء احترازي، حتى يوم الجمعة الموافق 6 مارس 2026، في جميع المؤسسات التعليمية الخاصة في دبي.
— KHDA | هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية بدبي (@KHDA) March 3, 2026
إن سلامة طلبتنا والكوادر التربوية والإدارية في صدارة أولوياتنا. وندعو أولياء الأمور والطلبة والكوادر… pic.twitter.com/BcPbHZoVqx
The decision applies to students, teaching staff and administrative employees across private educational institutions in the emirate. Authorities said the move follows approval from the Education, Human Development and Community Council and aligns with a wider announcement made by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
KHDA later issued a separate clarification for Indian curriculum schools and other institutions whose academic year begins in April, stating that the current term will be completed through distance learning.
Schools under CBSE, ICSE and other April-start academic calendars will conduct classes online until the term concludes. Institutions have also been permitted to hold non-board year-end examinations online or determine final results through cumulative assessment marks, depending on their assessment policies.
The authority also confirmed that the 2026–2027 academic year will begin on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Sharjah decision
In neighbouring Sharjah, the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) announced the postponement of the start of the 2026–2027 academic year for private schools following the Indian and Pakistani curricula.
Under the revised schedule, students will now begin classes on March 30, 2026, instead of the previously planned March 23 start.
SPEA said the decision was taken after requests from schools through the Council of School Principals, with authorities reviewing the justifications submitted by institutions.
Students enrolled in these schools will be allowed to take examinations remotely between March 9 and March 12, 2026, ensuring academic assessments can continue without requiring students to attend campuses physically.
New guidelines
Alongside the academic calendar changes, SPEA issued new operational guidelines for school administrations, staff and parents.
The authority instructed that a limited number of administrative and teaching staff may be present on campus, provided the number does not exceed 15 employees and remains restricted to essential operational needs.
Parents may also be allowed to visit school premises to collect uniforms and books, but only according to previously specified schedules and controlled numbers.
School administrations have been directed to implement the necessary internal arrangements, adjust schedules in line with the new decisions and communicate the changes clearly to students and parents.
KHDA similarly advised school communities in Dubai to rely on official government sources for updates and avoid circulating unverified information, adding that schools encountering operational challenges can contact the authority for support.