After nearly two months of summer break, teachers returned to UAE schools and participated in professional development sessions covering child protection, the integration of AI in classrooms, community-building, and a new planning model.

This signifies the official resumption of duties following the summer break and the commencement of the 2025–2026 academic year, with students in all grades set to begin classes on Monday, August 25.

Khaleej Times reached out to several schools to understand how the first day went.

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Lisa Johnson, Principal, American Academy for Girls (AAG) said,“It's a full and exciting week ahead. Our staff are engaging in professional training focused on child protection, the use of AI in the classroom, and a new planning model we're implementing this year.”

Welcome back breakfast

Johnson explained at AAG, the day began with a traditional Emirati breakfast, providing a relaxed environment for staff to reconnect after the summer break. The school also unveiled this year's guiding theme: 'Be the Weaver,' symbolising how every lesson, act of care, and decision contributes to students' overall growth.

She added,“We reflected on this together this morning to set the tone for the year ahead.”

Across the city, Brighton College Dubai welcomed back over 200 teaching, technical, and administrative staff, alongside more than 25 new colleagues.

Simon Crane, Head Master, said,“Today marks the start of our back-to-school programme, with our teachers engaged in professional training, collaboration, and planning to ensure that we deliver the very best education. This week will be spent refining lessons, aligning on curriculum priorities, and preparing enriching experiences in and beyond the classroom.”

Staff strength and new hires

Similarly, Diyafah International School in Abu Dhabi also focused on preparing its staff for the start of the school year.

David Flint, Principal, said,“These trainings are being led both by our school leadership team and external experts, focusing on innovative teaching practices, student well-being, and the integration of new technologies into the classroom. Only a small percentage of new colleagues join us this year. It is always special to see familiar faces return, and equally exciting to welcome passionate new educators who enrich our community.”

At Uptown International School, professional development aimed to foster consistency across classrooms while strengthening team collaboration.

Paul Rowe, Head of Secondary, noted,“For our new and returning staff, it's about ensuring everyone feels connected and confident, ready to deliver excellence for all our students. This professional development not only equips teachers with strategies for success, but also reinforces our identity as a community that learns, grows, and achieves together.”

Indian curriculum schools

In Indian curriculum schools, teachers return a few days ahead of students to ensure a smooth start.

Deepika Thapar Singh, Principal of Credence High School, said,“All our staff are returning from their summer break and will rejoin a few days before school reopens, ensuring they are ready to warmly welcome students after their much-needed holiday. The school currently has about 450 personnel, including faculty, administrative, and outsourced staff. Since our academic year, based on the Indian curriculum, began in April 2025, the recruitment process for new hires was completed well in advance.”

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