Changes to academic calendar catch school admin by surprise

Even Adec officials were at a loss for words in explaining the decision by the Ministry of Education to suddenly change the length of the December holiday and extend the school year to July 2.

ABU DHABI // School administrators still confounded by the abrupt changes to the academic calendar sought answers from Abu Dhabi Education Council officials at a forum on Tuesday.

But even the officials were at a loss for words in explaining the decision by the Ministry of Education to suddenly change the length of the December holiday and extend the school year to July 2.

The December holiday will now run from December 21 to January 10, with staff and students returning to class on January 11. Previously, school was to resume on January 4.

In May, the ministry issued a school calendar that reduced the December holiday for staff and students by one week. The calendar also called for an earlier start to the academic year. The changes were meant to add 10 days to the academic year but just last week, the principals said, the ministry issued a revised calendar without notice. The new calendar adds one week to the December holiday, bringing its length back to three weeks and extends the school year into July.

As the principals sought an explanation, Adec responded by deflecting to the ministry. The ministry did not respond to emails, texts or phone calls yesterday.

“The changes in the academic year calendar, this is a federal level law that most, if not all actually, emirates should meet,” said George Nader, Adec’s manager of licensing and accreditation, in answer to a principal’s inquiry.

“They went back to say that it should stay at three weeks and we in Abu Dhabi have to follow and meet what is required at the federal level. I know that might have affected schools and parents, but we have all to stick to that. And, hopefully, in a few years time, you will have a clearer calendar for a period of three or four years, not one year only.”

Jihan Nasr, principal at Abu Dhabi International School, said the move was disruptive for everyone. She said December is an optimal time to keep students in school because of the climate. It also gives them time to prepare for international exams, which are held in May.

“They told us they sent us a memo. It’s going to be two weeks. So, at the end of the year, we worked out a calendar, we did our calendar and they approved it, according to two weeks. We did our year plans, we planned everything, and then we come now at the beginning of the year, everything was changed. It became again three weeks,” said Mrs Nasr, referring to the December break.

“It’s not good for our teachers or for our students. Because we want to teach. We want the right climate.”

It’s much harder to keep students in class during the hotter months, others said.

“It’s so difficult for them to stay in the this weather. KG, Grade 1, Grade 2, up to Grade 3, it’s very difficult,” said Al Salam English School’s Magda Mazeed.