New UAE school timings from September 7: What parents need to know
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The UAE Ministry of Education has issued full-school-day timings for students and teaching staff, with the schedule taking effect on September 7 and continuing until the end of the academic year.
Start and dismissal times vary by educational stage and, in Cycles 2 and 3, by gender. Separate, shorter schedules will apply on Fridays.
Under the approved timetable, some pupils will begin at 7.15am. The latest dismissal will be at 3.15pm for girls in Cycles 2 and 3 from Monday to Thursday.
Kindergarten timings
Kindergarten children will arrive between 7.30am and 8am from Monday to Thursday for morning activities.
Assembly will run from 8am to 8.15am, followed by the first lesson at 8.15am.
The day will include five lessons of 45 minutes each. A breakfast break will run from 9.45am to 10.05am, followed by a play break until 10.25am.
The fifth lesson will finish at 12.40pm, with storytelling and dismissal scheduled between 12.40pm and 1pm.
On Fridays, children will arrive between 7.30am and 8am. A five-minute assembly will be followed by the first lesson at 8.05am.
Four lessons will be held, followed by storytelling and dismissal between 11.15am and 11.30am.
Kindergarten pupils will attend 24 lessons each week. Lessons will last 45 minutes from Monday to Thursday and 40 minutes on Fridays.
Schools have two timing options for Cycle 1.
Under the first, assembly will begin at 7.15am and last 10 minutes from Monday to Thursday. The first lesson will start at 7.25am.
Pupils will attend seven lessons and have two breaks lasting 20 minutes and 15 minutes. The final lesson will run from 12.40pm to 1.25pm.
On Fridays, assembly will start at 7.10am and the first lesson at 7.20am. The fourth and final lesson will finish at 10.30am.
Under the second option, assembly will begin at 8am from Monday to Thursday, followed by the first lesson at 8.15am. The timetable will include seven lessons, with the final class running from 1.35pm to 2.20pm.
Friday assembly will start at 8am and the first lesson at 8.10am. The fourth lesson will finish at 11.30am. Cycle 1 pupils will attend 32 lessons each week, with every lesson lasting 45 minutes.
From Monday to Thursday, boys in Cycles 2 and 3 will attend assembly at 7.15am for 10 minutes. Their first lesson will begin at 7.25am.
They will have eight lessons, with the final class running from 1.30pm to 2.15pm.
A 20-minute break will be held from 9am to 9.20am, followed by a 15-minute break from 11.45am to noon.
On Fridays, assembly will start at 7.10am and the first lesson at 7.15am. The fourth and final class will end at 10.25am.
Boys in these stages will attend 36 lessons a week, with each class lasting 45 minutes.
Girls in Cycles 2 and 3 will begin assembly at 8am from Monday to Thursday, followed by their first lesson at 8.15am. Their eight-lesson day will end with a final class from 2.30pm to 3.15pm.
The first break will run from 9.50am to 10.10am, while the second will take place from 12.35pm to 12.50pm.
On Fridays, assembly will start at 8am and the first lesson at 8.10am. The fourth and final class will end at 11.30am. Girls in Cycles 2 and 3 will have 36 lessons each week.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that Friday remains a regular school day, with standard attendance requirements despite the earlier dismissal times.