DUBAI - Any postponement of the start of the new academic year could upset schedules and result in the session being extended at the end of the year, feel school principals who were reacting to reports of the Ministry of Education’s decision to reopen schools after Ramadan.
Principals reason that schools normally function during Ramadan, albeit for fewer hours, so that students and the staff were not overworked during the fasting period. They say that the students’ studies could be affected if they started a month after the scheduled start on August 31. Commenting on reports that the MoE was considering a change in date, a ministry official told Khaleej Times: “We are considering postponing the start of the new academic year. However, we can confirm it (the decision) only in the next few weeks.”
The principal of Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School, Sharjah, Zahid Hussain, said: “We normally reduce teaching time from 45 minutes to 30 or 35 minutes and cut down school hours by an hour and a half every day during Ramadan.
“This is a normal practice followed by the schools. However, I don’t think the Ministry of Education will postpone the beginning of the year as it will shorten our overall working days.”
“Nevertheless, if the ministry asks us to change our dates, we will comply,” said Hussain.
The management of Taaleem group of schools also said they would prefer to run classes during Ramadan.
Melissa Jarvinen, Marketing Manager at Taaleem said: “We would not advocate starting the academic year after the month of Ramadan.
“We like to take the opportunity to immerse our students in the meaning behind Ramadan and we believe that it is a great time, especially for students who are new to the region, to learn about the rich Islamic culture.”
The principal and CEO of Indian High School (IHS), Ashok Kumar, said, “As long as we work 180-210 days, as directed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), it would be a good idea to defer commencement date. However, we have to abide by what the ministry says.”
A Gems group official said that all its schools would comply with the guidelines set by the ministry and would work lesser hours in September to be respectful and understanding of the Ramadan traditions.
However, the official added: “If there is a movement to suspend the opening of schools until October our schools will have to remain open longer at the end of the year, leaving students in schools during the month of July.
“This would prove to be challenging for our older students as they would have insufficient time to complete exams for the IGCSE, CBSE, American and IB Diploma curriculum. This could result in Saturday schools.”
The principal of a public school also observed that if the delay was only by a week or two, it wouldn’t matter. But if it was more than a month, then they would also have to work an extra month at the end of the academic year to compensate for the time loss.
School managements are also worried that a sudden change could make it difficult to inform students, who are now on vacation. “It would be difficult to inform all parents as they are away on vacation.
“We are now waiting for the ministry’s decision and then will decide how to update them,” said the head of an Indian school, who didn’t want to be named.
The management of Taaleem group of schools also said they would prefer to run classes during Ramadan.
Melissa Jarvinen, Marketing Manager at Taaleem said: “We would not advocate starting the academic year after the month of Ramadan.
“We like to take the opportunity to immerse our students in the meaning behind Ramadan and we believe that it is a great time, especially for students who are new to the region, to learn about the rich Islamic culture.”
The principal and CEO of Indian High School (IHS), Ashok Kumar, said, “As long as we work 180-210 days, as directed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), it would be a good idea to defer commencement date. However, we have to abide by what the ministry says.”
A Gems group official said that all its schools would comply with the guidelines set by the ministry and would work lesser hours in September to be respectful and understanding of the Ramadan traditions.
However, the official added: “If there is a movement to suspend the opening of schools until October our schools will have to remain open longer at the end of the year, leaving students in schools during the month of July.
“This would prove to be challenging for our older students as they would have insufficient time to complete exams for the IGCSE, CBSE, American and IB Diploma curriculum. This could result in Saturday schools.”
By Preeti Kannan