{
  "id": 6216395,
  "title": "Why some Dubai schools are moving October half-term forward",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/why-some-dubai-schools-are-moving-october-half-term-forward-6216395",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T02:32:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/09/08/uae-school-holidays-mid-term/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Some Dubai private schools have altered their October half-term break, moving it up a week for the 2026-27 academic year. Previously scheduled from October 19 to 23, the new dates now span Monday to Friday, October 12 to 16. This adjustment grants families a nine-day holiday, including the weekends. Schools such as Dove Green Private School, Greenfield International School, Jumeirah Primary School, and Gems Wellington International School have informed parents of the change via letter. The move is a response to the Ministry of Education's recent three-year academic calendar, which fixed the first half-term break for public and private schools from October 12 to 16. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, which governs private schools in Dubai, has adopted this revised calendar. Schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education must comply with this schedule, while those outside the curriculum can opt for a split midterm break between October and February, provided the total does not exceed five school days. Schools adhering to the Ministry of Education curriculum, as well as those using the Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi curricula, are exempt from this change. The academic year in Dubai begins on August 31, 2026, and concludes on July 2, 2027.",
  "summary": "Families who booked flights or hotels around a mid-October school break may need to check their dates. Some private schools in Dubai recently notified parents that this year's half-term has been moved forward a week. The new dates were communicated as pupils returned to school for the 2026-27 academic year. New dates For those schools making the change, the October half-term break will now run…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "October mid-term school break moved forward: UAE parents rebook flights and change holiday plans",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/october-mid-term-school-break-moved-forward-uae-parents-rebook",
        "published": "2026-09-08T02:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Why some Dubai schools are moving October half-term forward",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/why-some-dubai-schools-are-moving-october-half-term-forward",
        "published": "2026-09-08T02:32:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}