Holiday announced for schools in the UAE this week

The UAE’s ministry of Education has announced that all public schools in Dubai and Sharjah will be closed on Monday along with certain private schools.

All the schools across the country will also remain closed on Tuesday, the ministry said in a brief message on Twitter.

The reason for the decision was not revealed and no further details were given.

تنويه ..
وزارة التربية والتعليم، تقرر تعطيل دوام الطلبة يوم غد اﻹثنين في المدارس الحكومية التابعة لدبي والشارقة فقط، بجانب عدد من المدارس الخاصة بالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية… كما تقرر تعطيل الطلبة يوم بعد غد الثلاثاء ليشمل القرار جميع مدن الدولة وجميع المدارس الحكومية والخاصة. pic.twitter.com/0GMoGQk0mQ

— وزارة التربية (@MOEducationUAE) February 3, 2019

Some schools have sent out notices to parents confirming that the closure is for the Pope’s visit.

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, is visiting the UAE from February 3-5 in a landmark trip.

Read: Everything you need to know about Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE

Last week, the UAE announced that private sector workers who are attending the Papal mass on Tuesday, February 5, will be given the day off.

The ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said that the holiday will apply to private sector employees holding permits to participate in the mass, which will take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

Read: UAE declares holiday for private sector workers attending Pope’s mass