Pupils in Dubai and the Northern Emirates will have a longer academic year, according to the new calendar released by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday. The calendar, that applies to all private schools that follow foreign curriculum and to public and private schools following the Ministry of Education’s curriculum, indicates that the 2018-2019 academic year will comprise 182 school days. Last year, Abu Dhabi Education Council – now known as the Department of Knowledge and Development - asked schools to increase the number of school days from 175 to 180. The extra week was added to the end of the year and pupils finished their final term on July 5. In Dubai, private schools were able to adjust their calendars by a week subject to approval from education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, as long as the number of school days did not dip below 180. This year, academic staff will begin work on August 26 and pupils will start school on September 2. The last day of school for pupils will be July 4, 2019, while staff will work until July 11. Pupils in schools following the ministry curriculum will get a four-week winter break and a two-week spring break. Staff in the same schools will get two weeks off for winter and a week of holidays in spring. Children at private schools following foreign curriculums will get a three-week holiday in winter and a two-week break for spring. ___________ Read more: _____________