Ramadan: UAE, Saudi Arabia open schools for their future leaders

Ramadan: UAE, Saudi Arabia open schools for their future leaders

From Tariladei Osi

In the United Arab Emirate (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, schools do not close entirely for the duration of Ramadan. Instead, they adjust their schedules to accommodate the holy month, which involves fasting and changes in daily routines for many students and staff.

In the UAE, schools remain open during Ramadan but operate on reduced hours. For example, in 2025, it is expected that private schools in Dubai will be limited to a maximum of five hours of instruction per day, with classes ending by 12 PM on Fridays, based on previous patterns set by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Public schools in the UAE may also shift to shorter days, and in some cases, like in Dubai for 2025, private school students will have the option of remote learning on Fridays.

Schools are generally open for about 15 days during Ramadan before closing for a two-week spring break, which often coincides with Eid Al Fitr celebrations. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin around March 1, with the spring break starting around March 21.

Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, schools do not close for the entirety of Ramadan. The Ministry of Education typically adjusts the academic calendar to shorten school hours during the month, allowing students and staff to manage fasting and prayer schedules. While exact schedules for Ramadan 2025 are not fully detailed yet, historical practice shows that schools remain operational with modified timings-often starting later in the morning and ending earlier in the afternoon.

The school year continues, with breaks typically aligned with Eid Al Fitr at the end of Ramadan, which in 2025 is projected to fall around March 30 or 31.

So, to summarize, neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia closes schools completely for Ramadan. They remain open with adjusted, shorter hours to respect the religious observances of the month, followed by a break for Eid Al Fitr.