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The United Arab Emirates has announced that all nurseries, kindergartens, and public and private schools will continue with distance learning until Friday, April 17, 2026. The decision affects students, teachers, and administrative staff nationwide.
The Ministry of Education cited safety and well-being as the main reasons for extending online learning, noting that the situation will be reviewed weekly and adjustments may be made based on evolving conditions. This marks a continuation of remote learning that began on March 2 and was previously extended at the start of Term 3 on March 23, after the spring break schedule was moved forward due to regional tensions.
Schools quickly adapted to online learning, with students and some faculty joining classes from multiple time zones. Earlier plans had distance learning continuing until April 3, pending further review. Meanwhile, Indian and Pakistani schools in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the northern emirates had already started the 2026–27 academic year online under directives from local education authorities.
Kindergarten students participated in preparatory online sessions over the weekend to help families get ready for virtual learning, while Dubai’s Asian curriculum schools were originally scheduled to reopen on April 6. With the extension now in place, all students from nursery to secondary school will remain at home until at least mid-April.
Private schools wishing to resume in-person classes must submit formal requests with detailed justifications. Each application is evaluated individually and referred to the Ministry of Education for final approval, according to Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Higher education institutions have seen a gradual return to campus for programs requiring hands-on practical experience. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), in coordination with other authorities, has permitted universities to conduct on-campus laboratory work, clinical training, field-based programs, and examinations.
Some American universities in the UAE, including the American University of Sharjah, American University in Dubai, and American University of Ras Al Khaimah, continue to operate fully online, with remote learning and operations extended until further notice.
This phased approach demonstrates the UAE’s ongoing commitment to balancing educational continuity with health and safety across all levels of learning.
