Dubai: Dozens of private schools have confirmed they will be closed on Thursday to avoid traffic congestion caused by the Dubai Tour on the second day of the international cycling event, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) revealed on Wednesday.

KHDA announced on Tuesday that private schools in Dubai affected by the traffic diversions caused by Dubai Tour have the option of closing, provided school officials inform the KHDA.

The education authority in charge of private schools in Dubai gave the school this option to ensure students' safety.

The Ministry of Education, on the other hand, announced that all Dubai schools under its jurisdiction (public schools) will operate like any other regular school day on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant to Dubai Police Chief for Operations Affairs, called on Dubai education authorities to close schools on Thursday to avoid congestion.

According to Maj Gen Al Zafein, several key roads in the city will be closed during the tour, causing traffic diversions and congestion.

Dubai Tour is a high-profile four-day event, a sanctioned event of the world cycling body UCI.

It will see some of the biggest names of the sport such as Mark Cavendish, Rui Costa and Fabian Cancellara cycle on the streets of Dubai.

All GEMS schools will remain open.

Here's the list of schools that confirmed closing or dismissing their dismissing their student early on Thursday:

List of closed schools:

1. Springdales School Dubai

2. Delhi Private School

3. Regent School

4. Mirdiff Private School (Early dismissal only)

5. Pakistani Education Academy

6. Dubai British School

7. Star International School – Al Twar

8. International Academic School

9. Al Salaam Private School

10. Arab Unity School

11. North American Internatinal School

12. Lyceé Libanais Francophone Privé

13. Dubai Gem Private School

14. Al Thuraya Private School

15. JSS International School

16. Queen International School

17. Bradenton Preparatory Academy

18. Al Eman Private School

19. Victory Heights School

20. Sabari Indian School

21. Indian High School – Oud Metha

22. The Indian International School – DSO

23. Russian International School

24. Dubai Arab American School

25. Chouifat School – Al Sofouh – from KG1- Grade 4

26. Dubai International School

27. American School of Dubai

28. Dubai International Academy

29. Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou

30. Al Ittihad School – Al Mamzar

31. Dar Al Marefa

32. Gulf Indian High School

33. Ambassador Kindergarten

34. Ambassador School

35. Al Ittihad Private School Jumeirah

36. Dubai GEM Private School

37. Al Worood Academy Private School

38. Dubai National School Al Barsha

39. Al Shrooq Private School

40. English Language Private School