The Kuwait Ministry of Education school year 2026/2027 started on 13–16 September 2026 (Grade 1 on Sunday 13 September, Grades 2–12 on Monday 14 September, kindergarten on Wednesday 16 September). The mid-year break runs from 24 January to 4 February 2027, the second term starts on 7 February 2027, kindergarten and primary finish in the last week of May 2027, and intermediate and secondary exams end in early June. The countdown below shows how long is left until the next school milestone, in Kuwait time.
On this page
- Kuwait school calendar 2026/2027 (Ministry of Education)
- How many days until the next school date?
- Public holidays during the 2026/2027 school year
- School hours 2026/2027
- Exam periods and results
- Private and international school calendars
- Planning family travel around the school calendar
- Back-to-school checklist for 2027/2028
- School in Ramadan 2027
- Weather closures and remote learning
- How the MOE school year is structured
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
Kuwait school calendar 2026/2027 (Ministry of Education)
The table shows the main dates of the Ministry of Education (MOE) calendar for 2026/2027. It applies to public schools and private Arabic schools. Use the countdown above to see the days left until the mid-year break, the second term, the end of the year or the start of 2027/2028.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Teachers and administration return | Early September 2026 |
| Grade 1 students start | Sunday 13 September 2026 |
| Grades 2–12 start | Monday 14 September 2026 |
| Kindergarten starts | Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
| First-term exams (Grades 10–11) | 20–31 December 2026 |
| First-term exams (Grade 12) | 10–21 January 2027 |
| Mid-year break | Sunday 24 January – Thursday 4 February 2027 |
| Second term starts | Sunday 7 February 2027 |
| Ramadan (reduced hours) | Expected 8 February – 8 March 2027 |
| Eid al-Fitr break | Around 9–11 March 2027 (expected) |
| Second-term exams | 23 May – 3 June 2027 |
| End of year – kindergarten and primary | Last week of May 2027 |
| End of year – intermediate and secondary | Early–mid June 2027 (after exams; results by early July) |
Dates are published by the Ministry of Education and can change by Cabinet decision, for example extra days off around Eid or closures for bad weather. Check moe.edu.kw or the ministry’s official social accounts before booking travel.
How many days until the next school date?
Select a milestone in the countdown above to see the days, hours and minutes left. As of late October 2026 the next break is the mid-year holiday on 24 January 2027, roughly three months away. The countdown runs on Kuwait time (GMT+3) and switches automatically to the next date once a milestone passes.
Public holidays during the 2026/2027 school year
Official public holidays fall inside the school year and close MOE schools. Islamic dates depend on the moon sighting and are confirmed close to the day.
| Holiday | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January 2027 | Falls on the weekend |
| Isra and Mi’raj | Tuesday 5 January 2027 (expected) | Just before Grade 12 first-term exams |
| National Day | Thursday 25 February 2027 | Second term |
| Liberation Day | Friday 26 February 2027 | Second term |
| Eid al-Fitr | 9–11 March 2027 (expected) | Break after Ramadan |
| Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha | 15–18 May 2027 (expected) | Just before second-term exams |
When a holiday falls next to the weekend, the Cabinet sometimes adds bridge days. These announcements usually come a week or two before the holiday.
School hours 2026/2027
| Stage | Hours |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 7:15 AM – 12:05 PM |
| Primary | 7:15 AM – 1:25 PM |
| Intermediate | 7:30 AM – 1:40 PM |
| Secondary | 7:45 AM – 1:55 PM |
| Ramadan | Shortened by roughly 1.5 hours; exact timings announced each year |
Staggered start times are meant to ease morning traffic. Even so, roads near schools are very busy from about 6:45 to 7:45 AM and again at dismissal, so allow extra time on school days. If you live near a school, plan errands outside these windows during term time.
Exam periods and results
- Grades 10–11: first-term exams 20–31 December 2026.
- Grade 12: first-term exams 10–21 January 2027, just before the mid-year break.
- Second-term exams: 23 May – 3 June 2027.
- Results: intermediate and secondary results are expected by early July 2027 and are published through the MOE results portal.
Grade 12 results decide university admission, so families planning summer travel usually wait until results are out and university applications are submitted.
Private and international school calendars
| Curriculum | Typical year | Main breaks |
|---|---|---|
| British (Kuwait English School, BSK, Gulf British Academy and others) | Last week of August to mid-June | Autumn half-term, Christmas break around 20 December – 2 January, spring break |
| American (ASK, AIS, Fawzia Sultan and others) | Late August or first half of September to early June | Winter break in late December, spring break |
| Indian CBSE (ICSK, Carmel, Bhavans, FAIPS, United Indian, Gulf Indian and others) | April to March | Summer break from late June, return in the second half of August; winter break in late December |
| Pakistani, Filipino and bilingual schools | Generally September to June like MOE | Follow MOE public holidays |
All private schools close on official public holidays, but term dates, half-terms and exam weeks are set by each school. Always use your own school’s calendar for travel planning. Families with children in both an MOE school and an international school should mark both calendars side by side, because the Christmas break, the mid-year break and the summer holidays rarely line up, and a shared family trip may only fit in the overlapping weeks.
Planning family travel around the school calendar
- The mid-year break (24 January – 4 February 2027) is the busiest winter travel window; flights and hotels fill early.
- The Eid al-Fitr break in March is short, so regional trips work better than long-haul ones.
- Indian schools’ summer break starts earlier than MOE schools finish, which matters for families with children in different systems.
- Leave a margin around exam dates: missing an exam usually needs a medical certificate and approval from the school.
- Check passport and residency expiry dates for every child before the holidays.
Back-to-school checklist for 2027/2028
- The 2027/2028 MOE school year is expected to start around 12 September 2027, pending the ministry’s announcement.
- Renew children’s Civil IDs and residency before the year starts.
- Complete school health requirements and vaccinations through School Health.
- Register new pupils and transfers as soon as the ministry opens registration.
- Arrange school transport early; bus places in popular areas fill quickly.
School in Ramadan 2027
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, the day after the second term starts, and to last until about 8 March. MOE schools work shorter hours during Ramadan, roughly one and a half hours less per day, and the ministry announces the exact timings shortly before the month begins. No major exams are scheduled in Ramadan in the 2026/2027 calendar.
- Expect later start times or earlier dismissal; check your school’s circular.
- Children who are not fasting can usually bring a snack, but schools ask that it is eaten discreetly.
- Late iftar and suhoor make mornings harder, so adjust bedtimes in the first week.
- Traffic peaks shift in Ramadan, with heavy congestion in the hour before iftar.
Weather closures and remote learning
In some years the ministry has suspended classes or moved them online because of heavy rain, flooding or severe dust storms, usually announced the evening before or early in the morning. Follow only the official MOE accounts and moe.edu.kw for these decisions, not forwarded WhatsApp messages, which often recycle old announcements. Private schools generally follow MOE weather decisions but send their own notices to parents.
How the MOE school year is structured
The Ministry of Education year has two terms. The first runs from mid-September to the mid-year break in late January, with Grade 10–12 exams in December and January. The second runs from early February to the end of May for kindergarten and primary pupils and into June for intermediate and secondary students, who sit second-term exams from 23 May. Final results combine both terms according to each grade’s assessment rules.
Frequently asked questions
When did schools open in Kuwait in 2026?
Public schools opened on 13–16 September 2026. British and American schools started in the last week of August, and Indian schools returned from their summer break in late August.
When is the mid-year break in Kuwait schools?
From Sunday 24 January to Thursday 4 February 2027 for MOE schools. The second term starts on 7 February 2027.
How many days until school starts in Kuwait?
Select “Start of school year 2027/2028” in the countdown above. The expected date is 12 September 2027, to be confirmed by the ministry.
When does the school year end in Kuwait in 2027?
Kindergarten and primary finish in the last week of May 2027; intermediate and secondary finish in early to mid June after the second-term exams.
What are school hours in Kuwait?
Kindergarten 7:15 AM – 12:05 PM, primary 7:15 AM – 1:25 PM, intermediate 7:30 AM – 1:40 PM and secondary 7:45 AM – 1:55 PM, with shorter hours in Ramadan.
Do private schools follow the MOE calendar?
Private Arabic schools do. International schools set their own terms but close on official public holidays.
When are Grade 12 exams in 2027?
First-term Grade 12 exams run 10–21 January 2027 and second-term exams 23 May – 3 June 2027.