DUBAI // Private school hours will be shortened over Ramadan, the education regulator in Dubai announced on Tuesday.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has told all schools in Dubai that they will operate for fewer hours over the holy month.
“Schools should ensure that the total hours for students do not exceed five hours duration per day,” said Mohammed Darwish, chief of regulations at the KHDA.
“The school day during Ramadan will start between 8am and 8.30am and finish between 1pm and 1.30pm, with shorter breaks as required.”
Schools have consulted parents to ensure Muslim students were supported in their academic work while fasting.
“The holy month of Ramadan is an extremely important and significant time of the year for Muslims,” Mr Darwish said. “It is the month of pious observance where values and cultural traditions play an important part.”
The regulator has also told schools that they should exempt pupils who were fasting from PE classes, and ensure they avoided exposure to heat to prevent exhaustion and dehydration.
Eating and drinking in schools will be restricted to private, designated areas and staff have been encouraged to raise awareness about the practices of Ramadan.
nhanif@thenational.ae
