Qatar School Calendar 2026-2027: Term Dates, Holidays, Exams and When School Starts
Parents, save this. Students, screenshot it. This is the complete Qatar school calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year with every date that matters, from when school starts in August to when the summer holiday begins in June, and everything in between including midterm breaks, exam periods and the Eid holidays.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) approved this academic calendar as part of a four-year plan covering 2023/2024 through 2026/2027. All dates are confirmed and apply to public schools. Private schools generally follow the same framework but may vary slightly, so always check with your specific school directly.
When Does School Start in Qatar 2026-2027?
Staff return: Sunday August 23, 2026
Staff preparation week: Sunday August 23 to Thursday August 27, 2026
Students start: Sunday August 30, 2026
The first week of the academic year, from August 23 to 27, is designated for staff training and professional development before students arrive on August 30.
Qatar School Summer Vacation 2026
The summer break for the 2025-2026 academic year ends on August 29, 2026. For the 2026-2027 academic year, summer break begins after June 28, 2027 and runs through to August 26, 2027. Staff and teachers return on August 29, 2027 for the next academic year.
For the current transition period, the 2025-2026 school year ended on June 28, 2026, and students return for 2026-2027 on Sunday August 30, 2026.
Full Qatar School Calendar 2026-2027: Every Date
- August 23, 2026 (Sunday): School opens for staff. Preparation week begins.
- August 30, 2026 (Sunday): First day of school for students, 2026-2027 academic year begins.
- October 13 to October 22, 2026 (Tuesday to Thursday): First semester midterm exams.
- November 1, 2026 (Sunday): Students return to school after midterm vacation.
- December 13 to December 24, 2026 (Sunday to Thursday): First semester final exams for Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.
- December 27, 2026 (Sunday): Mid-year academic break begins.
- January 10, 2027 (Sunday): Second semester begins for staff.
- January 11, 2027 (Monday): Second semester begins for students.
- February 23 to March 4, 2027 (Tuesday to Thursday): Mid-term exams for Grades 10 and 11.
- June 13 to June 22, 2027 (Sunday to Tuesday): Second semester final exams.
- June 28 to August 26, 2027 (Monday to Thursday): Summer break.
- August 29, 2027 (Sunday): Start of school for the next 2027-2028 academic year.
Qatar International School (QIS) Term Dates 2026-2027
Qatar International School has published its own confirmed term dates for 2026-2027, which follow the British curriculum:
- Term 1 starts: Sunday August 30, 2026
- Midterm break: Thursday October 22 to Thursday October 29, 2026
- Term 1 ends: Thursday December 17, 2026
- Term 2 starts: Tuesday January 5, 2027
- Midterm break: Sunday February 7 to Thursday February 11, 2027
- Eid Al Fitr Holiday: Sunday March 7 to Thursday March 11, 2027
- Term 2 ends: Tuesday March 30, 2027
- Term 3 starts: Sunday April 4, 2027
- Eid Al Adha Break: Sunday May 16 to Thursday May 20, 2027
- Term 3 ends: Thursday June 24, 2027
Note: QIS has confirmed all dates are subject to change as per Ministry of Education updates.
Ramadan During the Qatar School Year 2026-2027
Ramadan is expected to fall in the second semester of the 2026-2027 academic year. The Ministry of Education has designed the calendar to ensure that mid-second-semester exams do not overlap with Ramadan, taking into account the religious and psychological wellbeing of students.
During Ramadan, Qatar public school hours are reduced. Students at public schools typically start at 8:30 AM and finish at noon. Private schools must offer at least five hours of instruction during Ramadan but timings may differ by school.
Qatar National Day and School Exams
Qatar National Day falls on December 18, 2026. In the 2026-2027 academic calendar, first semester final exams for senior grades are scheduled from December 13 to December 24, meaning the National Day celebrations fall within the exam period. The Ministry of Culture’s vision is to allow students to actively participate in National Day celebrations while managing the exam schedule around this.
The Test Day, Rest Day Policy
Qatar has introduced a “Test Day, Rest Day” policy specifically for high school certificate students. This means that between each exam, students have a rest day built into the schedule to review material and prepare mentally for their next paper. This is a significant change from previous years and is worth knowing if you have a child in the senior high school years.
How School Holidays Work in Qatar
A school year in Qatar must include at least 180 teaching days. The academic calendar is structured around Qatar’s official public holidays to maintain an uninterrupted learning experience. The first semester from August to December includes Qatar National Day as the major holiday period. The second semester from January to June includes Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.
The midterm vacation in the first semester is one week in October. The second semester does not have a separate midterm vacation, as the Eid holidays provide natural breaks across that period.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Qatar for the 2026-2027 academic year?
Staff return on Sunday August 23, 2026 for preparation. Students begin on Sunday August 30, 2026.
What is the Qatar school summer vacation for 2026?
The 2025-2026 academic year ends June 28, 2026. Students return for 2026-2027 on August 30, 2026. The next summer break begins June 28, 2027 and runs to August 26, 2027.
When is the midterm break for Qatar schools 2026-2027?
The first semester midterm falls from October 13 to October 22, 2026, with students returning November 1.
When are final exams for Qatar schools 2026-2027?
First semester finals for Grades 9 to 12 run December 13 to December 24, 2026. Second semester finals run June 13 to June 22, 2027.
Is the Qatar school calendar 2026-2027 confirmed?
Yes. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education confirmed this calendar as part of a multi-year approved academic schedule. Individual private schools may vary slightly, so check directly with your school.
What is the school year in Qatar?
The Qatar school year runs from late August to late June, divided into two semesters with a mid-year break in late December and January.
Note: All dates are based on MOEHE announcements and approved school calendars. Dates are subject to change as per Ministry of Education updates. Always confirm term dates directly with your school.
