Dubai private schools can extend learning day in line with new working week

The emirate's private education regulator confirmed schools can start schedules early or finish later, providing they have consulted with parents

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  The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School in The Gardens, Jebel Ali, Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Masked pupils learn in a classroom at the Delhi Private School.

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  Pupils arrive for the first day of the new term at the Delhi Private School.

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  A pupil gets back into the swing of school with coloured pencils and hand sanitiser at the Delhi Private School.

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  Teachers and staff greet incoming pupils.

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  A teacher leads a welcome back activity at the Delhi Private School.

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  Pupils prepare to learn on the first day of school after the summer break.

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  Children get organised on the first day of school.

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  A staff member checks a pupil's temperature.

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  The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School.

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  A pupil shows off his creativity on the first day of school.

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  Pupils get organised on the first day of the new term at the Delhi Private School.

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  The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School.

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  A staff member performs temperature checks as pupils arrive.

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  Children arrive at the Delhi Private School for the first day of the new term.

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  Learning to read at the Delhi Private School.

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  Teachers and staff members welcome pupils on their first day back at school.

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  Parents drop children off at the Delhi Private School.

Private schools in Dubai will be able to extend the learning day to ensure teaching hours are not reduced when they move to a four-and-half-day week in January.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the emirate's private education regulator, set out the decision-making powers for schools in a guide released on Wednesday.

Schools can start the day early or finish it later, provided they have first consulted with parents of pupils.

On Fridays, schools can finish no later than noon.

Public sector workers will adopt a four-and-a-half-day working week from January 1. Employees will complete full working days from Monday to Thursday, with a half-day on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be the new weekend for government workers.

All public and private schools will implement the same timetable, with pupils attending lessons from Monday to Thursday, with a half-day on Friday,

Dubai's regulator has allowed for some flexibility so that schools are able to meet their curriculum requirements.

Education chiefs in Sharjah have also taken steps to support the transition to the new working week.

In Sharjah, the public sector will work from Monday to Thursday, with employees enjoying a three-day weekend.

Private schools in Sharjah will be allowed to increase daily learning hours or extend the academic year by a week to adapt to the schedule.

From Monday, January 3, all pupils across the Emirates are due to return to classrooms for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Around the UAE, some Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted and a shorter week with longer days will await pupils as 2022 ushers in a new academic term.