Schools to close Thursday and Sunday for National Day

All schools in the country will be closed on Thursday and Sunday following the public holidays announced for government offices this week. The Ministry of Education has informed the local education authorities about the holidays on December 2 and December 5 to mark National Day and Hijri New Year.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council and Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai have sent out circulars to all public and private schools, informing them about the days off. Students are expected back for classes on Monday.

Meanwhile, to celebrate the 39th UAE National Day, schools and universities have organised cultural shows, fairs and bazaars for students and parents today and tomorrow. Many schools will hold special assemblies, beginning with the hoisting of the national flag and singing of the anthem.

More than 4,000 students at the Kindergarten Starters school in Dubai will  line up to create a human formation of the national flag today.

At the Dubai British Schools, students have been asked to dress up in the country's traditional outfit for the day and will be treated to Arabic food and henna painting.

The Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology have organised a parade of decorated floats representing different national themes - leaders, native plants and animals, traditional architecture - and will take to the streets of the emirate at 9am today. The procession will start from the women's  college in University City and end at Al Qasba.