Dubai private schools to open for five hours a day during holy month

Private schools in Dubai are to reduce their opening hours during Ramadan, the emirate’s education authority has confirmed.

Schools will also be closed by noon on Fridays to accommodate prayers, said an official for the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

“As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, KHDA has set a number of guidelines for Dubai private schools to consider when determining working hours, foremost of which is that the duration of the school day should not exceed five hours, and schools must finish by noon on Fridays,” said Shamma Al Mansouri, director of permits at the KHDA.

Sharjah’s private schools will also cut their school days to a maximum of six hours.

The emirate’s Private Education Authority has advised schools to reduce hours, but each school must set its own timing based on its curriculum and Ramadan regulations.

Many schools often contact parents before Ramadan to ask if they would prefer an earlier or later the school day.

Simon Crane, head teacher of Brighton College Dubai, said the school would operate a compact timetable to ensure enough lessons can be fitted into the reduced schedule.

“Our community voted overwhelmingly to come to the school on Fridays as our pupils prefer in-class studies rather than online,” said Mr Crane.

“They don’t want to have online distance learning again, as they want to be with their peers in a classroom setting.”

Pupils at foundation stages 1 and 2 should arrive at school by 8.30am and will be dismissed by 1pm. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 must arrive by 8.15am and go home by 1pm.

Head teachers said they often struggle with attendance on Fridays during Ramadan, and were planning special activities to encourage pupils to attend.

“It’s a challenge to have good attendance on those days but we try to schedule most of our activities and events on Fridays to encourage the children to come to school,” said Lisa Johnson, principal of the American Academy for Girls in Dubai.

“We do lots of house events on Fridays. Each of the houses gets to plan an event, and those are all on Fridays.

“It is a challenge for sure. Especially as most of our pupils are Emirati, and traditionally that’s been a family day, and they still have lots of family activities planned for that day. The parents have been very supportive.”

Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, superintendent and chief executive at Gems Al Khaleej International School, also said steps were being taken to encourage Friday attendance.

“Sometimes we do have a special activity, especially during the month of Ramadan on Fridays. We have some competitions or some activities or assemblies taking place,” Ms Abu-Shamat said.

“We plan to ensure that the pupils are encouraged to come to school regardless of whether it’s two hours or four hours.”

Sharjah private schools will need to set their own schedules for Ramadan, but school days must not exceed six hours