Education leaders caution that skipping the three school days after the Eid Al Etihad holiday will result in marked absences and potential academic setbacks.
(DUBAI) — A clear directive is being issued from schools across the UAE: the academic term ends on December 5, not before. As the Eid Al Etihad holiday creates a long weekend from December 1-2, school authorities are pushing back against the temptation for families to begin the winter break early, warning of strict adherence to attendance policies.
The core of the issue lies in the calendar. With only three school days—December 3, 4, and 5—scheduled between the national holiday and the start of the winter break, some parents are considering an early exit. School principals, however, are emphasizing that these days are integral to the term.
No Surprises: Calendar Was Set in Advance
School administrators point out that the academic calendar was distributed at the start of the year to allow for precise planning. Dr. Jinto Sabastian, Executive Principal of The Apple International School, stated, “The school shared the approved KHDA calendar… with parents and students at the beginning of the academic year. It clearly states that the last working day for students… is 5 December.”
He confirmed that assessments are scheduled through the final week and that early departures will be formally recorded as absences, with no guarantee of make-up opportunities.
A United Front from School Networks
This stance is consistent across various educational institutions. Noufal Ahmed of Woodlem Education said that while individual cases are reviewed, the network’s planning is locked to the official calendar. “Our decisions are guided by the student’s overall attendance, academic progress, and the importance of the instructional days scheduled until the official term-end date,” he explained.
The message to parents is one of responsibility and planning. Deepika Thapar Singh of Credence High School advised, “Our strong recommendation remains that travel be aligned with official school dates so that children do not miss out on valuable time in school.” With a full month of winter break ahead, schools are urging families to let the term conclude as officially planned.
