Rumours debunked: UAE official school timings for new academic year remain same

The UAE Ministry of Education has officially denied recent social media rumours about changes to school hours for public school students, including kindergarten. The Ministry reaffirmed that the current timings remain as they are, even as the country prepares for notable educational reforms in the 2025–2026 academic year.

TL;DR:

• UAE Ministry of Education denies social media rumours regarding changes to school hours for public school students at all levels, including kindergarten.
  
  
• Official school timings remain: Kindergarten 8:00 am–1:00 pm (Mon–Thurs), 8:00 am–11:45 am (Fri); Grades 1–12 from 7:15 am–3:15 pm (Mon–Thurs), 8:00 am–11:45 am (Fri).
  
  
  
• The new academic year starts August 25, 2025, with artificial intelligence introduced as a core subject from kindergarten through Grade 12.
  

No changes in school hours
Contrary to circulating social media reports, the Ministry clarified that school hours for all public school students, including kindergarten, will stay consistent with previous years. Kindergarten students attend school from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, with shorter hours on Fridays. All other grades follow slightly longer hours, 7:15 am to 3:15 pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 11:45 am on Fridays.

AI becomes a core subject
From the 2025–2026 academic year, artificial intelligence (AI) will become an official subject in all UAE public schools, starting from kindergarten through Grade 12. The Ministry has trained 1,000 teachers to deliver this curriculum, which covers seven areas including AI basics, data and algorithms, ethical awareness, and real-world problem solving, tailored to different age groups. The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the deployment of 1,000 trained teachers to deliver the AI curriculum. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s strategic vision to equip future generations with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The AI curriculum is built around seven key areas: basic AI concepts, data and algorithms, software applications, ethical awareness, real-world problem-solving, innovation and project design, and engagement with policy and community

New academic year and testing initiatives
Classes across public and private sectors will commence on August 25, 2025. A national standardized proficiency test will be introduced for Grades 4 to 11, assessing Arabic, English, and Mathematics to identify learning gaps and enhance instruction quality. Around 26,000 students will participate in the initial rollout.
An additional reform mandates the teaching of Arabic language, Islamic Education, and social studies in private kindergartens. This aims to embed a strong national identity, cultural awareness, and language skills from the earliest school years, fostering well-rounded, identity-rooted future citizens.

FAQ
Q. Have t he official school hours changed for the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year in the UAE?
No, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that the school hours remain the same as last year for all levels, including kindergarten.

Q. What are the official school hours for kindergarten students?
Kindergarten classes run from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8:00 am to 11:45 am on Fridays.

Q. What are the schoo l hours for grades 1 to 12?
School hours for students in grades 1 to 12 are from 7:15 am to 3:15 pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 11:45 am on Fridays.

Q. What significant curriculum changes are being introduced this academic year?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become a mandatory subject across all public school grades, from kindergarten to Grade 12, aiming to equip students with future-ready skills.