Dubai: Government and private schools that were on mid-semester break will resume classes tomorrow (19/10/2026), with addressing learning difficulties, reviewing assessment results and completing semester requirements among the key priorities.
Return dates at private schools vary according to each school's approved calendar, curriculum and relevant educational authority.
Private school principals said the post-holiday period presents schools with four key priorities: accurately identifying learning gaps, implementing measurable support, ensuring regular student attendance and providing families with clear information about their children's academic levels and the steps needed to improve.
The academic calendar for the 2026-2027 school year applies to government and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum.
Local education authorities have the flexibility to approve splitting the mid-term break for some private schools that do not follow the Ministry curriculum between October and February, provided the total does not exceed five school days.
Private schools in Sharjah are excluded from these regulations in accordance with the regulatory framework adopted in the emirate.
A school's curriculum alone is not enough to determine its return date. Families should refer to the school's approved calendar and any changes approved by the relevant authority, particularly for schools that split the holiday or follow a different academic year.
Focus on assessment results
Salma Eid, principal of a private school, said the educational importance of returning to school lies in using data collected during the first weeks and turning the results of diagnostic and formative assessments into specific teaching decisions.
This begins with identifying skills students have not mastered, selecting appropriate interventions and then reassessing them to measure improvement.
She added that the period allows schools to review the effectiveness of teaching and identify students who need further explanation or additional training, while providing enrichment activities for higher-performing students.
This requires schools to balance completing the curriculum, addressing learning gaps and preparing for upcoming assessments, with clear objectives for each class and subject.
Eid explained that the dates, nature and weight of assessments vary according to curricula, educational stages and academic plans. She stressed that families should refer to schedules issued by individual schools for assessments following the holiday and their preparation requirements.
Support with specific goals
Mohammed Badawi, director of a private school, said the return to classes puts schools' plans to address learning difficulties to the test.
An effective plan begins with identifying the learning gap and its causes before linking it to targeted skills, an appropriate educational intervention, a specific implementation period, responsibility for follow-up and an indicator to measure progress.
He stressed the importance of distinguishing between the causes of academic difficulties. Low performance could be related to weak foundational skills, frequent absences, language difficulties, additional educational needs or problems with study organisation.
Support measures can include re-explaining specific skills, forming small learning groups, providing progressive training and modifying teaching methods when needed, with regular follow-up to prevent learning gaps from accumulating until the end of the semester.
Parents have key role
Nasser Al-Yasi, director of a private school, said communication with parents becomes increasingly important as schools develop a clearer picture of students' performance during the first few weeks.
Effective communication involves ensuring families understand their child's strengths, areas requiring improvement, measures the school will take and the support expected at home.
He explained that individual meetings, where necessary, allow schools and parents to review results, discuss reasons for declining performance and agree on realistic follow-up measures.
Parents can also help by reorganising children's sleep and wake times, following school schedules, ensuring regular attendance and providing an appropriate environment for studying, while avoiding excessive pressure or making assessments a constant source of anxiety.
Al-Yasi stressed that regular attendance is essential during the post-holiday period. Missing the first lessons could mean losing explanations and exercises needed for subsequent learning, particularly when the return to school coincides with assessments or academic support activities.
He said the remaining period of the semester gives schools an opportunity to address shortcomings before final assessments by linking learning gaps with specific interventions, follow-up measures and clear next steps.