{
  "id": 4823492,
  "title": "UAE schools welcome students back with full readiness for new academic year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/uae-schools-welcome-students-back-with-full-readiness-for-new",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T07:52:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-schools-welcome-students-back-with-full-readiness-for-new-academic-year-1.500659123"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yesterday, students across the UAE's public and private schools resumed their education as the 2026-2027 academic year commenced, signaling a new chapter for over 1.277 million students enrolled in more than 1,180 institutions nationwide. The returning pupils encompass approximately 26,700 first-time entrants, with schools having diligently prepared for the academic year's launch. Welcome programs were orchestrated to facilitate students' smooth reintegration into the school environment through orientation sessions, educational activities, and interactive experiences.\n\nPublic schools are initiating a gradual return during the inaugural week, commencing with new students on the first day, followed by the remaining educational stages according to attendance schedules set by individual schools from Monday to Thursday. Reduced school hours will be observed during this period, ensuring all students attend by Friday, thus paving the way for a full return to the standard school timetable.\n\nThe phased approach enables schools to welcome students in stages, aiding their transition from the leisurely holiday routine to the structured school day, particularly beneficial for first-time students. Schools also utilize this period to acquaint new arrivals with the school environment, outline entry and exit procedures, and finalize preparations for the academic year.\n\nThis year's academic year heralds several significant developments, including the inauguration of 11 new schools and educational complexes, the procurement of 8 million textbooks, and the deployment of 5,810 school buses to transport students. Furthermore, over 24,000 education professionals participated in specialized training programs, with more than 80 workshops and training sessions organized to prepare for the new academic year.\n\nThe return to classrooms transcends the resumption of lessons; it serves as an opportunity for orientation, interaction, and familiarization with the themes and priorities that will shape students' academic journey throughout the year. For instance, at the Zayed Educational Complex – Al Mizhar in Dubai, local media representatives were briefed on a series of initiatives that blend learning, values, technology, and awareness. The return of students at this complex was underpinned by extensive academic and operational preparations, encompassing facility readiness, staff recruitment, and early communication with parents. Educational and administrative teams commenced their preparations ahead of the students' return to ensure a well-organized academic year ahead.\n\nDuring a media interaction, Bdoor Shaheen Ali, Head of the Academic Affairs Unit at Zayed Educational Complex – Al Mizhar, elaborated that the complex aimed to embody the National Charter for Education in an interactive manner for students, rather than presenting it as mere theory. Several activities encompassing themes like artificial intelligence, national identity, and the identification system 'Sanad' were designed and distributed across corridors, classrooms, and school facilities. Shaheen highlighted that these preparatory activities began before students returned, with administrative and teaching teams utilizing the week preceding the start of classes to set up the school environment to be fully prepared upon students' arrival on their first day. This fully prepared setting was intended to warmly welcome students and motivate them to re-engage with school life.\n\nCommunication with families emerged as a critical aspect of the preparations for the new academic year. The complex initiated communications with parents via the school's official channels and platforms, complemented by an orientation meeting between the school administration and parents. This pre-meeting facilitated an understanding of the preparations and arrangements for the academic year, while simultaneously establishing a direct line of communication between parents and the school from the outset. This early engagement with families was reflected in the positive atmosphere surrounding students' first day, as noted by Shaheen.\n\nAmna Hilal, Principal of Zayed Educational Complex – Al Mizhar, attributed the smooth and stable start for students from the very first day to early preparations encompassing academic, organizational, and interactive aspects, coupled with family engagement. These preparations aimed to facilitate a seamless transition for students from the holiday period to the school environment and establish a positive rapport among students, teachers, the school, and parents from day one, thereby laying the groundwork for a stable start to the new academic year.",
  "summary": "Students across the UAE’s public and private schools returned to their classrooms yesterday as the 2026-2027 academic year got underway, marking a fresh start for more than 1.277 million students enrolled in more than 1,180 public and private schools across the country. The returning students include around 26,700 first-time students, with schools having completed extensive preparations ahead of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}