As the new year unfolds, schools across the UAE are gearing up for their much-awaited mid-term breaks in February, with various institutions adopting different schedules to cater to their students’ needs.
For most schools, the break will fall in mid-February, with a significant variation in duration. Some institutions will give students a full week off, from Monday, February 10, to Friday, February 14. This extended break, including the weekends, offers families a nine-day respite from school routines.
Others will offer a shorter three-day holiday from Wednesday, February 12, to Friday, February 14, while a few will provide just a two-day break on Thursday, February 13, and Friday, February 14.
This shorter option, when combined with the weekend, gives families a four-day holiday before students return to school on Monday, February 17.
The flexibility of school calendars in the UAE allows for variations in break lengths, as long as schools meet the required minimum of 182 school days for the international curriculum. This system ensures that students have time to recharge while balancing educational progress.
At the American Academy for Girls, Principal Lisa Johnson emphasized the value of short breaks for both students and families.
“Research shows that periodic breaks improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, which is essential for maintaining a balanced and effective learning environment,” Johnson said.
The school follows an American-style academic calendar with a four-quarter, two-semester system, and is currently administering final exams for the first semester.
Similarly, Neetha Shetty, principal at Al Diyafah High School, LLC, explained that the mid-term break at her institution falls from February 10 to 15, which includes two weekends.
Shetty highlighted that the curriculum coverage varies across grade levels. “In certain senior classes, approximately 60 to 70 percent of the curriculum is covered before the mid-term break, whereas in primary classes, it is around 50 to 60 percent,” Shetty noted.
The break also provides an opportunity for sports activities, with January’s cooler weather providing an ideal environment for outdoor events.
Teachers also benefit from the mid-term break, according to Shetty. “Teaching is a demanding profession, and breaks provide educators with the opportunity to recuperate mentally and physically, helping to prevent burnout,” Shetty said.
She emphasized that the breaks support both teachers’ and students’ well-being and foster a more productive learning environment.
Lisa Passante, Principal at Star International School, Al Twar, echoed these sentiments, noting that the school calendar is confirmed and approved by relevant authorities well in advance. This allows educators to plan their curriculum accordingly, ensuring all lessons are covered before breaks.
For this academic year, Star International School has implemented a three-day mid-term break, from February 10 to 12, aligning with other schools in the region to support families with children in different institutions.
Passante highlighted the importance of mid-term breaks, stating, “These breaks are an opportunity to reset and come back with a renewed drive to learn.”
She further explained that aligning school holidays across the region supports families with children in multiple schools, making it easier for families to plan vacations or other activities during the breaks.
In addition to the February break, schools will also adjust their schedules during Ramadan, expected to begin on March 1, 2024. During this period, schools will follow shorter working hours, adapting the syllabus to maintain a balanced approach to continued learning.
As students and teachers look forward to their well-deserved breaks, it’s clear that mid-term holidays serve as an essential component of the academic year, benefiting both educational progress and overall well-being.