The UAE plans to unify holidays for all public and private schools, colleges and universities across the country from the next academic year, a report said.

The move follows an agreement between the ministries of education and higher education, Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Education, was quoted as saying by the Gulf News report.

The first working day of the new academic year for teachers and administrators will be September 2 while for all students classes will commence on September 9, he said.

The starting date is applicable to students of all kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, special education centres, adult education centres and schools following ministry of education curricula as well as all other foreign curricula, he said.

The schools will have three-week holidays after the first semester, and two weeks after the second semester. Al Qutami called on all education zones, schools and universities to implement the resolution.

The three-week holidays after the first semester will commence on December 16, 2012, and end on January 3, 2013. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 6.
The two-week long holidays after the second semester will commence on March 31 and end on April 11. Classes will resume on April 14, 2013. The summer holidays will begin on July 7, 2013.