FNC to push for shorter hours in UAE schools

Since the school day was lengthened in 2009, the member says, pupils have been caught between homework and family time.

ABU DHABI // Long hours are wearing out pupils and teachers, an FNC member is expected to tell the Education Minister tomorrow.

Dr Mohammed bin Ham (Abu Dhabi) plans to tell Humaid Al Qatami that since school hours were extended at the start of the 2009 academic year, pupils have had little time to do their homework, play or spend time with their families and build on their national identity.

School days were brought in line with the norm in several developed countries, with days lasting five to seven hours, depending on grade level.

The school day at Abu Dhabi state high schools was extended by 90 minutes.

"If the country was really concerned and serious with curriculum and other education factors and are working to develop it ... then they must consider the pupil who is an important part in education," he said.

"And must be serious in finding the necessary ingredients for a pleasant educational environment, and in the forefront the length of the school day, which would reflect on pupils' ability" to be productive by the end of the year.

He said talks with parents and teachers revealed that many objected to the long days, which "do not suit the Gulf climate" where people often opt for an afternoon nap.

"So why not shorten a school day so there is time left which the pupil can during it do their school homework, and get their right to play as a child," he said.

"Plus a long school day does not help nationals' identity, as they spend all day in school."

He said that pupils were coming home late from school, then would nap for a long time because of exhaustion - sometimes for five hours - then stay up late to finish school work. This meant the next day they were late to school.

Teachers were also suffering. Late working hours, he said, left female teachers having to deal with angry husbands once they get home.

He said school days should end at 1.30pm, as they used to.

The minister will then be quizzed by two other members on promotions and electronic systems, and by three members in his role as the head of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

Ali Al Nuaimi (Ajman) will ask what the authority has done to improve conditions for working women in the Government sector.

Ahmed Al Zaabi (Sharjah) will ask him what role and legal rights the authority has to encourage Emiratisation, and Ahmed Al Omash (RAK) will ask about the authority's right to oversee end of service benefits for Emiratis.

Dr Rashid bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water and head of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma), will also attend.

Ahmed Al Jarwan (Sharjah) plans to ask him how locally produced and imported foods are monitored in the country.

The minister previously sent in a five-page report disclosing what the ministry and Esma were doing to ensure the safety of local and imported food.

But the Mr Al Jarwan said the report did not answer his questions and he asked for the minister to come in person.

Questions previously directed to the head of the General Islamic Authority, Dr Hamdan Al Mazroui, will be asked again in his presence.

The first concerns lifting a ban on imams practising faith healing, and the other employing Emirati imams and muezzins.

During the second half of the session members will go through a law on plant genetic resources.

The bill was first debated a month ago but was sent back to be restudied with the Ministry of Environment and Water upon the minister's request before the public debate.

The public session will be held at the FNC headquarters in Abu Dhabi starting at 9am.

* With additional reporting by Afshan Ahmed