Back to school UAE: Heartfelt goodbyes as parents drop off little ones on first day

New beginnings

As the school year kicks off, parents and kids are seen eagerly checking the class lists and schedules posted in the hallways, a flurry of activity marking the first steps of a new academic journey.

With wide eyes, children and parents are scanning the lists to find their names, while parents offer words of reassurance and excitement. The hallways buzz with anticipation as families navigate the posted schedules, familiarising themselves with classrooms, teachers, and the day’s routine — an exciting ritual that kicks off a year of learning, growth, and new beginnings.

Safety for all

Dubai Police and Ministry of Interior have rolled out various programmes to ensure road safety today as over a million students go back to school today.

Among these efforts is the ‘Day Without Accidents’ campaign, aimed at ensuring a safe journey for all, with a focus on minimising traffic incidents during the busy school return period.

UAE President extends wishes

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, congratulated his ‘sons and daughters’ and wished all students, teachers, administrators, and parents on the start of the new academic year.

“I congratulate my sons and daughters, the students, and my brothers and sisters, the teachers and administrators, and the parents and mothers on the occasion of the new academic year,” the President wrote.

A 3-year-old’s first day of school

For Egyptian parent Sarah Ahmed, the first day of school was filled with excitement and a surprising calm.

“My son is 3 years old and he was very excited,” she shared. “He was talking to his sister yesterday and asking about school. He even told me what he wanted in his lunchbox, chose his fork — wanted a blue one, not a pink one.”

Despite the big moment, Sarah’s son handled it all with surprising ease. “Till now, everything is under control,” she added with a smile. “He didn’t cry at all and walked off happily towards his classroom.”

For many parents, watching their little ones confidently take on the first day of school is a moment of pure joy — and Sarah’s son was no exception.

Embracing the return of the new school year

Some parents captured the moment with photos, wanting to preserve the memory of this milestone day — when their little ones take their first steps back into the classroom.

Whether holding hands for one last comforting squeeze or snapping a picture to mark the occasion, these heartfelt goodbyes speak volumes about the love and pride that fill the air as families embrace the return of a new academic year.

Tender moments

As the new school year begins, parents can be seen sharing tender moments with their children, offering hugs and encouragement before sending them off to embark on another chapter of their education.

Families are entering the school premises at the GEMS Founders School in Al Barsha Dubai. Mostly, new families joining the school for the first time are making their way in now.

Swipe right to see the rest of the photos:

The start of a fresh term

At schools across the city, the air is charged with excitement. Many institutions are welcoming students with staggered entry times, allowing the younger ones — especially new pupils — the chance to settle in, explore their classrooms, and get to know their peers before the full day kicks off.

For Indian curriculum schools, today also marks the start of a fresh term, as their academic calendar traditionally begins in April.

Iconic yellow buses are back

After nearly two months of summer break, the iconic yellow school buses are back on the roads this morning, crisscrossing the UAE to transport thousands of students to their schools.

The familiar sight of these buses marking the start of the academic year is a welcome one, signaling the end of the summer break and the beginning of a new school term for over a million students across the country.

A new chapter begins

The gates of Second of December School in Al Twar Dubai swung open early this morning, marking the official start of a new term. The campus buzzed with the familiar energy of students returning, eager for the lessons, challenges, and memories the year would bring.

Among them was Omar AbdulKhader, a student who said his goodbyes to his mother before stepping into the world of books and dreams once more.

The day is looking like it will be filled with small moments like this — moments that spoke of fresh starts and the promise of growth.

Excitement is in the air!

The excitement was palpable this morning outside Al Sadiq Islamic English School in Al Qusais, where children eagerly waited for the school gates to open, marking the beginning of a new academic year. As the clock ticked closer to the start of the term, the school parking lot quickly filled up, with parents opting to drive their children to school on the first day.

Inside the school, the energy was equally high, with teachers arriving early, preparing for the day ahead. Some were seen carrying supplies into the school while others gathered in small groups, exchanging greetings and setting up classrooms.

Sharjah-Dubai traffic jams

As the clock struck 6am today, the roads leading from Sharjah to Dubai were already feeling the weight of the back-to-school rush. Major arteries, including the Al Ittihad Road and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, were a sea of red lights, as parents and students hit the streets for the first day of school after the summer break.

By 5.45am, the first signs of congestion appeared, but it wasn’t until 6.30am that traffic slowed to a crawl on the busy routes connecting the two emirates. Commuters found themselves inching forward, caught in the back-to-school bottleneck that greeted them this morning.

In contrast, traffic within Dubai remained relatively smooth, with only minor slowdowns near school zones. Aside from a few hotspots around educational institutions, the roads inside the city were moving at a steady pace, offering a bit of relief for drivers navigating through the early-morning chaos.

New school year starts

UAE schools reopen today after a two-month summer break, kicking off the 2025–26 academic year with major changes. The new term 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.

It’s a busy morning on the roads and in classrooms, and Khaleej Times is on the ground, bringing you live updates as it unfolds. Our journalists are stationed at schools, with the Dubai Police, monitoring traffic, and covering volunteer efforts across the city.

From packed hallways to rush-hour bottlenecks, follow this live blog for on-the-ground visuals, key updates, and everything you need to know as students return.

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