Sharjah Postpones Academic Year for Indian, Pakistani Schools

Tens of thousands of students enrolled in Indian and Pakistani schools across Sharjah will have to wait a little longer to start their new academic year. The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) announced in a circular to schools that the start of the academic year 2026-2027 for institutions following the Indian and Pakistani curricula will be postponed, with students beginning classes on March 30, 2026.

The decision comes as the UAE continues to manage the fallout from ongoing Iranian drone and missile attacks that have disrupted daily life across the Emirates since February 28.

Remote Exams for Sharjah Indian, Pakistani Students

The postponement does not mean a complete academic standstill. SPEA clarified that students may take their examinations remotely during the week of March 9 to 12, 2026, and issued new guidelines for staff and parents regarding school visits.

This approach ensures that academic progress is not entirely halted while keeping students and staff out of harm's way during an uncertain security period.

The new academic year for Indian schools in Sharjah had originally been scheduled to begin on March 23. That date has now been pushed forward by one week to allow more time for the situation to stabilize.

UAE Schools Across Emirates Adjust Academic Calendars

Sharjah is not the only emirate making adjustments. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced an early spring break for private schools in Dubai, beginning Monday, March 9 and running through Sunday before classes resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.

For Indian schools in Dubai, the picture is slightly different. CBSE and ICSE schools, whose academic year begins in April, will complete the current term through distance learning and resume the 2026-2027 academic year on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The CBSE board has also made sweeping changes to its regional exam schedule. All Class 10 examinations scheduled from March 7 to 11, 2026, across the UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia were cancelled. Exams previously scheduled on March 2, 5, and 6 that had already been postponed were also cancelled, and the Class 12 examination set for March 7 was postponed as well.

For South Asian families in Sharjah, many of whom depend on Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools that follow the April-to-March calendar, the announcement brings some clarity amid a week of uncertainty. The remote examination option in particular ensures the academic year will not be derailed entirely.

Parents and students are advised to monitor official SPEA communications and school announcements for further updates.