Schools across the UAE have begun resuming outdoor activities this week, following a directive from Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), issued in coordination with the Ministry of Education. KHDA-licensed schools in Dubai resumed outdoor PE, outdoor break periods, and on-site assemblies (including graduation ceremonies) from Monday, 27 April 2026, with co-curricular activities (CCAs) set to return on Wednesday, 29 April.
Schools in other emirates are expected to follow similar timelines under their respective regulators, including ADEK in Abu Dhabi, SPEA in Sharjah, and the Ministry of Education for federal and Northern Emirates schools. Parents are encouraged to confirm exact dates with their child's school. The phased return follows the resumption of in-person classes across UAE schools on 20 April, and operates within the safety framework that KHDA has published for Dubai's 2026 reopening.
Phased Return to Normal: April 2026
What resumed on 27 April
From Monday, 27 April 2026, KHDA-licensed schools in Dubai resumed the following:
- Outdoor PE lessons and other educational activities that use outdoor spaces
- Outdoor break periods, in line with each school's existing timetable
- Assemblies and other gatherings for scheduled school events on the school premises, including graduation ceremonies
For most students, this means the school day is returning to its familiar shape, with break time outdoors, PE on the field, and the larger assembly events that had been on hold.
What is set to resume on 29 April
Co-curricular activities (CCAs), both inside and outside the school premises, are scheduled to return on Wednesday, 29 April 2026. This includes the wider after-school programme such as football, basketball, athletics, music, drama, and outdoor clubs that schools typically run as part of their CCA timetable.
The two-day gap between general outdoor activities (27 April) and CCAs (29 April) gives schools time to brief their CCA providers, including external coaches and clubs, on the school's safety procedures before the wider programme starts.
The KHDA safety framework still applies
Outdoor activities at Dubai schools are operating within the same safety framework set out in KHDA's Reopening Protocols for Dubai Private Schools. The key requirements that continue to apply during outdoor activities include:
- Structured supervision with defined activity zones. Each outdoor area is mapped, supervised, and known to staff
- Managed group sizes. Schools avoid overcrowding in outdoor spaces
- Clear identification of safe areas and evacuation routes. Staff and students must know how to move indoors quickly if needed
- Immediate suspension of outdoor activities if an official alert is sounded
- Staff training on school-specific safety procedures
- Student awareness of safety expectations before activities begin
The framework also requires that any external CCA provider operating from 29 April understands and follows the same protocols before sessions resume. Parents in other emirates can expect equivalent frameworks to apply via their regulators (ADEK in Abu Dhabi, SPEA in Sharjah, and the Ministry of Education for federal and Northern Emirates schools), and should check directly with their child's school for specific arrangements.
What this means for parents
For most families, the school day now looks much closer to normal. Children should expect outdoor PE, regular outdoor breaks, and assemblies as part of their daily timetable from this week, with after-school sports clubs, music lessons, and other CCAs starting back from Wednesday.
A few practical points to keep in mind in the first week back outdoors:
Pack appropriate kit for outdoor PE. Children returning to outdoor sport after several weeks indoors will benefit from a water bottle, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing.
Hydration matters more than usual. Children adjusting to outdoor activity in warmer mornings will need active reminders, particularly as UAE temperatures rise into May.
Check for school circulars. Individual schools may stagger the return of certain activities or set their own start dates within the regulator window. Confirm what is happening at your child's school.
Confirm CCA start dates. Sports, music, and after-school clubs may resume on slightly different dates depending on each school's planning and the readiness of external providers.
Talk through the safety briefings. Schools will run short orientations on safe-zone procedures with students. A brief conversation at home helps reinforce that the procedures are routine, not a cause for concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did outdoor activities resume in UAE schools?
Outdoor activities resumed at KHDA-licensed schools in Dubai on Monday, 27 April 2026, following directives from the Ministry of Education and KHDA. This includes outdoor PE, outdoor break periods, and on-site assemblies, including graduation ceremonies. Schools in other emirates are expected to follow similar timelines under their respective regulators.
When do co-curricular activities (CCAs) resume in UAE schools?
CCAs are set to resume from Wednesday, 29 April 2026, both inside and outside the school premises. This includes after-school sports clubs, music, drama, and other CCA programmes typically run by schools and external providers.
Why is there a gap between general outdoor activities and CCAs?
The two-day gap between 27 April (general outdoor activities) and 29 April (CCAs) gives schools time to brief external CCA providers, including coaches and clubs, on the school's safety procedures before the wider programme resumes.
Are outdoor activities subject to safety conditions?
Yes. Outdoor activities at Dubai schools operate within KHDA's Reopening Protocols framework, which requires structured supervision, defined activity zones, managed group sizes, clear evacuation routes, and the ability to suspend outdoor activities immediately if an official alert is issued. Schools in other emirates operate under equivalent frameworks set by their regulators.
Will my child's school follow the same dates?
Schools regulated by KHDA in Dubai are following the 27 April and 29 April dates as set out in the KHDA directive. Schools in Abu Dhabi (regulated by ADEK), Sharjah (SPEA), and the federal and Northern Emirates (Ministry of Education) are expected to follow similar timelines, though individual schools may stagger their return or set slightly different dates within their regulator's window. Parents are encouraged to check directly with their child's school for confirmation.
What should I do if my child has been indoors for several weeks?
The first week of outdoor activities after a long indoor period asks more of a child's body than parents often expect. Pack water, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing, and expect some end-of-day tiredness as students readjust to outdoor PE and warmer mornings.
