UAE Schools Start Term 3 Remotely: What Families Need to Know for Two-Week Period

Remote Learning for Term 3: What UAE Families Need to Know

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has announced that the start of the 2025-2026 academic year's third term will shift to remote-only instruction from March 23, 2026, for a two-week period. The move addresses security concerns while maintaining educational continuity for students across the nation.

What's Changing

• Immediate Schedule: All students from nursery through Grade 12 will attend virtual classes beginning March 23, 2026, through April 5, 2026.

• Work-Life Balance: Parents managing childcare during remote learning will need to coordinate supervision arrangements with their employers and families.

• Digital Learning: Schools will deliver lessons through established platforms, with a mix of live instruction and recorded content to accommodate varying household connectivity.

Lesson Structure: What to Expect

The Ministry of Education has organized remote learning schedules by grade level:

Kindergarten operates with lighter daily sessions (approximately 30 minutes each), designed to maintain engagement without excessive screen time for early learners.

Grades 1-2 include slightly more instructional time (approximately 35-40 minutes per session), allowing for expanded curriculum delivery as children's capacity for focus increases.

Grades 3-4 maintain similar session lengths (approximately 40 minutes), supporting transition into more complex subject matter and independent learning skills.

Middle school (Grades 5-8) continues with 40-minute sessions to accommodate prep for assessments and introduction of specialized subjects.

High school (Grades 9-12) maintains regular 40-minute sessions to support exam preparation and university readiness coursework.

Schools are delivering instruction through virtual platforms, supplemented with pre-recorded lessons that allow students to review content asynchronously—a practical feature for households managing multiple learners or connectivity constraints.

Support for Students of Determination

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has confirmed that students of determination—those with disabilities—will continue receiving appropriate accommodations and support during remote learning. Schools are maintaining Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and providing assistive technologies and specialist support as established under the nation's Inclusive Education Policy Framework.

Planning Ahead

This two-week remote period affects working parents' schedules and household routines. Families are advised to:

• Establish clear daily schedules that mirror in-person school timings

• Ensure home internet connectivity is tested before March 23

• Coordinate childcare or supervision arrangements with employers if needed

• Balance screen time with offline activities and outdoor time

The Ministry of Education has confirmed the remote learning period is scheduled through April 5, 2026. Families requiring clarity on specific arrangements for their children's schools are encouraged to contact their institutions directly, as implementation details may vary by school.

Looking Forward

The two-week remote learning arrangement reflects precautionary measures to ensure student and staff safety during this period. Once the scheduled period concludes on April 5, in-person classes are expected to resume according to the regular academic calendar. Families should monitor official Ministry of Education communications for any updates to this timeline.