Private schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will reduce school hours during the month of Ramadan.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai's private education regulator, said private schools would have to cut their school day to five hours from the usual seven.
Private schools in Abu Dhabi would also have their school hours reduced to five.
Abu Dhabi private schools cannot start the day before 9:30am and must end by 3:30pm.
Private schools in the emirate have received Ramadan timing guidelines from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).
"Each school is expected to cover the full content of the core subjects during those hours, and to consult with parents while selecting the appropriate schedule," Adek said.
Mohammed Darwish, chief executive officer of permits and compliance at KHDA, said schools could choose what times they start and end after consulting with their parent communities.
“During Ramadan, the whole school community – including pupils, teachers and parents – will be spending extra time in prayer with their families," Mr Darwish said.
"We ask schools to be mindful of this with regards to the amount of homework and assignments set for pupils.
"Every Ramadan, we practice the virtues of patience, togetherness, compassion and inner strength, and this year we will need to draw on these virtues more than ever.”
Ramadan 2020 in UAE – in pictures
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A cannon is fired at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, to mark the beginning of iftar in 2020. Victor Besa / The National -
A Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National -
Hundreds of packets of cooked food provided by Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Jebel Ali for the needy are distributed by Markaz volunteers before iftar at the Naif area of Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Volunteers in Fujairah prepare food to be handed out at iftar. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A cannon is fired to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest standing building. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A woman checks out a Ramadan promotional stand at Carrefour in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan lamps for sale at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the day before Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National -
Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan decorations at the Spinneys in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan decorations inside Al Fateh Plaza at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
