Dubai sets new Friday timing for private schools from January 2026
All private schools, in addition to early childhood centres located within the emirate’s private schools, must conclude their school day at 11.30am on Fridays, with effect from January 9, 2026, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced.
The decision comes after the national shift of Friday prayer time to 12.45pm and consultations between the education regulator and colleges.
For students in Year 7 and above, schools can apply to the KHDA to provide learning on a Friday online (following consultation with parents and approval by KHDA).
Schools need to adhere to regulations related to safety of students who are with them till signed out and help in developing appropriate child supervision policies.”Shamsheer said the guidelines make it clear that student safety after school hours is equally important.
Instructional hours Monday through Thursday will remain as currently.
The authority added that it will work closely with schools and early learning centres to “to support their implementation, while causing minimum disruption to teaching staff, students and day-to-day operations”.
The Friday prayer time in the UAE is now 12.45pm, instead of 1. 15pm. The move is expected to come from Jan 2, 2026.
Dubai and the UAE’s schools were already looking into a modified schedule, including early closing times or changes in hours to accommodate the new prayer timings.
The move to change the timing of prayers followed a multi-year review and a period of public feedback that targeted social habits, work schedules and home life, with officials stressing that practicalities and the community lie at the heart of the decision.
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