The midterm break began on Sunday, October 25, and continued through Thursday, October 29, 2026. It followed the completion of midterm examinations for the relevant grade groups and provided students with a scheduled period of rest before returning to their normal school routines. Classes resumed on November 1 in accordance with the published academic timetable.

The current academic year began on Sunday, August 30, 2026, when students returned to classrooms after the summer holiday. Administrative and teaching staff had returned earlier, on August 23, to complete preparations for the new academic year. These arrangements included classroom readiness, school schedules, curriculum planning and the operational requirements needed for the beginning of the term.

Figures published at the start of the academic year indicated that Qatar’s 649 government and private schools and kindergartens were serving approximately 419,373 students across different educational stages. The figures highlight the importance of clearly established school calendars and coordinated arrangements for attendance, examinations and holidays across the country’s education system.

Midterm examinations were held during October, with students in Grades 10 and 11 beginning their tests on October 13. Examinations for Grades 1 to 9 began on October 14, while the published midterm assessment period concluded on October 22. The autumn break began the following week, allowing schools to transition from the examination period into the next stage of the semester.

With classes resuming today, students are entering an important phase of academic preparation before the end-of-semester assessments. Schools will continue delivering the remaining curriculum content while students review previous lessons, complete assignments and prepare for upcoming evaluations. Parents are encouraged to monitor school communications so that academic responsibilities can be managed effectively during the weeks ahead.

According to the academic calendar for 2026–2027, first-semester final examinations for Grade 12 and Grades 10 and 11 are scheduled to begin on Sunday, December 6, 2026. Examinations for Grades 1 to 9 are scheduled to begin on Monday, December 7. The published examination period for these grade groups concludes on Tuesday, December 15, subject to detailed arrangements communicated by the education authorities and individual schools.

This timetable provides families with several weeks between the resumption of classes and the beginning of the December examinations. Students can use the period to strengthen their understanding of classroom subjects, complete outstanding work and develop structured revision plans. Regular attendance and communication with teachers remain important for following assessment requirements and staying informed about school-specific arrangements.

The academic calendar also sets out the upcoming mid-year break, scheduled to begin on Sunday, December 20, 2026. School employees are expected to return on Sunday, January 3, 2027, followed by students on Monday, January 4, marking the beginning of the second semester. These dates form part of the longer-term academic planning framework designed to provide predictable study and holiday periods.

While many private and international schools follow similar dates, their individual calendars may contain differences in term arrangements, school activities or operational schedules. Parents should therefore consult their children’s schools directly for precise information about attendance, examinations and holidays, particularly when the institution follows a separately approved private-school calendar.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s published academic framework helps schools, teachers, students and families plan learning activities throughout the year. By announcing examination periods and school holidays in advance, the calendar supports academic preparation and provides greater clarity about key milestones within the first and second semesters.

As classes resume on November 1, Qatar’s schools are entering the remaining weeks of the first semester, with December examinations and the mid-year holiday approaching. Students and parents are encouraged to follow official educational guidance, maintain regular school attendance and review institution-specific notifications to ensure that they remain informed about the next important dates in the academic year.

Source: Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education – Al Sharq – Academic Calendar 2026–2027.