Pupils can ease into longer school days

Pupils across the country can enjoy a longer lie-in than usual for two weeks after school starts on Sunday.

But after that, the timetable for some schools will increase by almost an hour.

The Ministry of Education said all public schools and private schools that followed its curriculum would have a period added to their timetables. Public schools managed by the Abu Dhabi Education Council will not be affected.

There will be no changes to the school day for pupils in Grades 1 to 5.

But girls in Grades 6 to 12 will now end classes at 3.20pm, while boys will finish at 2.35pm.

As a temporary respite to cater for the summer heat, the ministry has called on schools to suspend their morning assemblies and physical education classes for the first two weeks of term.

The move, which was discussed with schools and other authorities, will allow pupils to focus on basic subjects, the ministry said.