With Diwali just around the corner, families across the United Arab Emirates are checking their academic calendars, as several Indian curriculum schools plan longer breaks.
Private schools can now offer flexible timetables throughout the school year, with guidance set out by local education authorities such as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai and the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi.
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Many Indian curriculum schools are using flexible timetabling to provide a long weekend for families to enjoy key points in their culture, such as Diwali.
How Flex Days and Weekends Align for a 4-Day Break
Whether a four-day weekend can be provided depends on how each school plans to allocate the official holidays for staff and students.
If a school has identified that Friday or Monday will be an official holiday for Diwali celebrations, then this will link to the standard weekend of Saturday/Sunday.
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If a school has also allocated a Friday holiday to staff and a professional development day or extra holiday on Monday, then staff and students will have a four-day break. This means that they do not have more than the required number of teaching days in the year.
Regulatory Frameworks Governing Private School Holidays
Despite having a lot of flexibility in terms of how you run your school, all schools in the UAE will need to work within the required curriculum hours for your holidays.
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The regulators require schools to have a certain number of working days within a term.
As a result, some schools will give all 4 days of the weekend off by reducing the number of flex days they have. Some schools will give 1 day off or celebrate within the school.
Travel Surges and Retail Planning Across the Emirates
The four-day-long weekend break over Diwali sees a spike in regional travel.
Aviation experts and travel companies often say there is more demand for short-haul trips to popular tourist destinations within the GCC, South Asia, and East Africa.
Meanwhile, large shopping centers, residential areas, and shopping malls throughout Dubai and Abu Dhabi are busy running pop-up experiences, special promotions, and events.
Essential Guidance for Parents and Academic Planning
Parents can find out exact information about approved academic calendars at their school by contacting directly through official channels or using the relevant mobile apps.
As different schools have different holidays according to whether they are following an Indian, British, American, or IB curriculum, you will see there is a wide variation in holiday dates.
School administrators also stress that by having clear information ahead of time families can plan any party events and ensure students are completely prepared for their upcoming midterms.
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