27/08/2025
Wednesday = Ed News Day!
It's been a busy week as schools across the city opened their doors to welcome in students after the summer break. For most schools across the UAE it marked the start of the 2025-26 academic year (some curriculums i.e. Indian, start in spring). That means new students entering the Early Years and older students moving up a grade, perhaps into secondary or an important exam year. For others it was their 'last first day' as they entered their finally year of secondary schooling.
Some students walked through the doors of a brand new school, like DBS Mira or VHPS City of Arabia. Others became the fist cohort of a new grade, or the first to use new or revamped facilities.
For everyone - student, parents and teachers alike the day is full of excitement, nerves, and that sense of looking ahead as well as looking back.
Leaders of the UAE joined with school communities in marking these new beginnings with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sending messages of inspiration. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE also took a moment to reflect by sharing pictures of his time at school.
The return of families after the summer break and the addition of the school run means that traffic around the city is expected to increase. Traditionally, traffic on the first day of school has been particularly heave as families opt to drop their children off instead of using busy services. Staggered start times, road improvements, and a heavy police presence have been credited with keeping most roads running smoothly this week. Though traffic is expected to get heavier as students move to regular timetables.
GEMS have announced a partnership with Steinway and Sons' to deliver world class music tuition through their All Steinway Institution and GEMS Premier Music Academy. The Academy will be based at the new GEMS School of Research and Innovation in Sports City, with satellite campuses across Dubai.
And now that summer vacation has ended everyone is asking when the next holidays will be. Thankfully, residents of the UAE will not have to wait long with it announced that the Public and Private Sectors marking Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) Birthday with a holiday Friday September 5th. Dubai schools are still awaiting official notice from KHDA, but it is expected that they will follow suit.
