Schools in Dubai will finish half an hour earlier on Fridays to accommodate a change to prayer times, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced.
Earlier this month it was announced that that Friday prayers in the UAE are to be brought forward from 1.15pm to 12.45pm from the beginning of 2026. In response, Dubai’s KHDA has announced to end Friday lessons at 11.30am rather than noon.
The change will be effective from Friday, 9 January 2026 at all private schools and early childhood centres operating within the emirate.
In addition the KHDA has also rolled out online learning on Fridays for pupils in Year 7 and above. However, this is subject to parental consultation and KHDA approval.