Setting up kids for school
dubai — Parents in the UAE have set up a strict study, sleep, eating and play routine for their kids for a smooth school year ahead.
Students of British curriculum schools restarted school on Wednesday and some parents spoke to Khaleej Times about their summer and plans for the academic year ahead. Emirati parent Muhammed Al Muttawa, his wife and two kids spent the summer travelling across Switzerland, France and London. But now, it’s back to the strict school routine for his son in the 3rd grade, and daughter in the 9th.
“We were on holiday before, so it wasn’t a fixed routine. Now they must wake up before 5am and get ready for school, have a proper breakfast and make sure their bags are packed and ready,” Muttawa said. His children also got the scholarship as part of The Mohammed Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme.
“We’ve also learned from past experience on how to prepare the kids for school. We don’t give them sweets before bedtime the previous day. My daughter loves sweets and she used to eat them before bed and couldn’t sleep after.”
Emirati parents Ali Kazin and Sawsan Bukallah are preparing their two sons — also scholarship recipients — for the school start. “They wake up at 6.45am, we give them breakfast, get ready and then drop them off to school. This year, as we are new to the school, we will see what kind of after school-activities they offer. If it doesn’t interfere with their homework, they can join,” Bukallah said.