Mon, Dec 15, 2025 | Jumada al-Thani 24, 1447 | Fajr 05:34 | DXB clear.png27.3°C

  • Published: Mon Aug 25, 2025, 7:01 AM

Free ice cream, cops on horses: How UAE schools welcomed kids back after 2 months

By:Elizabeth GonzalesSahim SalimWaheed AbbasNasreen AbdullaNandini SircarHind AldahWaad BarakatMuhammad SajjadNeeraj MuraliShihab
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Key Events

Summary

  • Academic year 2025-26 comes with several significant changes, including the introduction of a unified school calendar, updates to the Arabic and Islamic studies curricula, and the launch of the country’s first AI syllabus
  • Children were all smiles as schools welcomed them with free ice cream; cops visited classes, and little ones compared stationary items.
  • The first day of school marked a joyous moment that took weeks of preparation behind it, with teachers and administrators gearing up to make sure the return was smooth and safe
  • 7:01 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    New school year starts

  • 12:12 PM, Aug 25, 2025

    A day of learning and new beginnings

  • 12:05 PM, Aug 25, 2025

    Trip down memory lane

  • 11:15 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Free ice cream!

  • 11:00 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A moment of pride

  • 10:40 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Navigating transitions together

  • 10:34 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    No more heavy bags

  • 10:32 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    New opportunities

  • 10:25 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A joyful first day

  • 10:15 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Will it rain today?

  • 10:10 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A timely reminder

  • 10:05 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Why is the traffic smooth today?

  • 10:01 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Meticulous preparation

  • 9:49 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    No accidents reported

  • 9:37 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A lighthearted moment

  • 9:27 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Promise of fresh beginnings

  • 9:15 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Soaking every moment

  • 9:11 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Dedication to the job

  • 9:07 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Commitment to student wellbeing

  • 9:06 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A moment of camaraderie

  • 9:01 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A day of transition

  • 8:55 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Ensuring safety

  • 8:51 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Mix of excitement and nerves

  • 8:49 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A spectacular treat

  • 8:31 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Bright-eyed student

  • 8:25 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Week of dedicated planning

  • 8:19 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    New beginnings

  • 8:13 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Safety for all

  • 8:00 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    UAE President extends wishes

  • 7:51 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A 3-year-old's first day of school

  • 7:41 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Embracing the return of the new school year

  • 7:36 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Tender moments

  • 7:31 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    The start of a fresh term

  • 7:26 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Iconic yellow buses are back

  • 7:19 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    A new chapter begins

  • 7:11 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Excitement is in the air!

  • 7:04 AM, Aug 25, 2025

    Sharjah-Dubai traffic jams