UAE school reopening status: Will classes return to campus on Monday? What we know so far

Dubai: Schools and universities across the UAE have been on distance learning since early March. On Tuesday, authorities announced a gradual return to classrooms. Here’s a clear breakdown of the current situation and what to expect.

On April 14, Tuesday, UAE announced phased return to in-person learning for schools and nurseries.

The Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council announced that educational institutions are preparing for a gradual return to in-person learning, with nurseries set to reopen in phases starting this week.

Not yet, but an official return date and further details on whether institutions will resume in-person classes or continue remote learning will be announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, through the Ministry of Education (MOE) and relevant higher education authorities.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has specifically stated that reports claiming distance learning will continue until May 1 are inaccurate.

Distance learning was introduced on March 2, 2026 as a precautionary measure amid regional security concerns linked to ongoing conflict in the area, following Iran's attacks on Gulf countries, including the UAE.

The arrangement was initially set to run until March 6, before officials brought the spring break forward.

Since then, remote learning has been extended in stages as authorities continue to monitor the situation and prioritise the safety of students and staff.

On Tuesday, the UAE announced a gradual return to in-person learning, with nurseries set to reopen in phases starting this week.

Authorities will continue to assess the situation while preparing for the phased reopening.

Authorities will conduct field inspections to assess preparedness ahead of the phased reopening. Updated guidelines have also been developed to manage any shifts between in-person and remote learning.

Private early childhood centres in Dubai will gradually return to on-site learning from Thursday, April 16, starting with those in government and commercial buildings, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Tuesday.

Priority will be given to these nurseries, while others can continue offering home-based childcare under approved rules.

On Aprill 11, the KHDA has introduced two new services for children up to six years old. Nurseries can now run small groups of up to eight children from different families in home settings, and can also send teachers into homes for one-to-one or small-group sessions with up to four siblings.

The situation regarding international examinations has evolved considerably. Several major awarding bodies have cancelled their external examinations in the UAE for 2026. These include:

This means that qualifications including IGCSEs and A Levels will not have external exams in the UAE this year. Schools and awarding bodies are expected to communicate directly with students about how grades will be determined.

Universities nationwide, both public and private, are also currently operating via distance learning.

However, universities often have more internal flexibility than schools. While most are running fully online classes and exams, some institutions may offer: