Maximum 6 hours for Sharjah private schools during Ramadan

The Sharjah Private Education Authority has granted private schools in the Emirate of Sharjah the authority to determine the working hours of students and educational staff during the holy month of Ramadan, provided that they commit to not exceeding six hours of daily schooling.

In a circular addressed to private school administrations in the emirate, which Emirates Today reviewed, she stressed the necessity of setting the start and end times of the school day during the blessed month, in accordance with the requirements of the curriculum, consistent with the approved school calendar, and ensuring the continuity of the educational process and maintaining its quality.

She stressed the importance of taking into account the individual and time differences between the different educational levels, which contributes to achieving justice and flexibility in organizing the school day, and meeting the educational and psychological needs of students at every stage.

The authority’s circular also gave special importance to the concept of quality of life, calling on school administrations to take into account the circumstances of students and their parents, in a way that reflects the human and social values ​​that characterize the holy month.

Private school administrations in Sharjah reported that they have begun preparing organizational plans for the holy month of Ramadan, which include rearranging school schedules and setting working hours to take into account the differences between educational stages, as working hours for kindergarten and primary stages will be reduced compared to the second and third levels.

She pointed out that the preparations included adapting school activities to suit the nature of the holy month and the circumstances of the students and educational staff.

Kholoud Fahmy, director of a school that includes kindergarten and first cycle, said: “We are keen to significantly reduce the working hours of kindergarten students, given the nature of their ages and their need for longer rest periods. The focus will be on light and interactive activities within the classroom, while the daily schedule will be reorganized to be consistent with the children’s abilities during fasting.”

The director of a private school, Mohamed Badawy, said: “We began early preparations to organize school schedules and adjust entry and departure times in a way that reduces pressure on students and parents during the holy month.”

The principal of a secondary school, Mohsen Abdel Dayem, confirmed: “For third year students, the specified hour limit will be adhered to while maintaining the number of basic classes, especially for academic subjects. Preparations will focus on rescheduling the school day and organizing tests and assignments in a way that suits the nature of the month of Ramadan.”