Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced a new adjustment to Friday school schedules for private schools across the emirate, aligning academic operations with updated official timings for Friday prayers while ensuring students’ well-being and educational continuity.

The decision follows the announcement that Friday prayers across all mosques in the UAE will now be held at 12:45 PM, effective Friday, January 2, 2026. In coordination and consultation with educational institutions in Dubai, KHDA confirmed that all private schools and their affiliated early childhood centers will be required to implement an early dismissal system on Fridays.

Under the new directive, students must be dismissed no later than 11:30 AM every Friday, starting from Friday, January 9, 2026. KHDA clarified that the adjustment applies exclusively to Fridays and does not affect the approved number of instructional hours from Monday to Thursday, which will remain unchanged.

The authority emphasized that student well-being and quality of life remain a top priority, alongside full compliance with approved curricula and educational standards. Schools have been granted flexibility to adopt staggered or phased dismissal arrangements on Fridays, provided these measures address operational, logistical, and academic considerations without disrupting teaching and learning processes.

However, KHDA stressed that no student should remain on school premises after 11:30 AM unless safe and appropriate supervision arrangements are in place. Additionally, schools may apply for approval to implement remote learning on Fridays for students in Grade 6 (Year 7) and above, subject to prior consultation with parents and formal approval from the authority.

KHDA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with private schools and early childhood centers to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the decision, while minimizing any potential educational or operational impact.