Dubai: The start of the academic year coincides with the beginning of Ramadan, prompting the UAE Ministry of Education to consider postponing the semester, Gulf News has learned.
Most parents want the academic year to start after Ramadan saying that fasting during the hot weather could be "extremely" stressful for pupils and the UAE should follow Kuwait and Saudi Arabia whose academic year is expected to start on October 11.
Public and private schools that follow the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum will open on August 31.
However, other schools will operate according to their homeland system, within a margin of two weeks of August 31, said Taha Al Hamri, Director of Administrative Services Unit in the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
For Emirati Mohammad Khalifa, postponing would be better for pupils as teachers always try to finish the course for the semester as fast as possible since classes are shorter in Ramadan. "Students are not as fresh and energetic in the morning during Ramadan, which is a sad thing because it defeats the whole purpose behind the holy month," he said.
Mariam Al Muhairi, a teacher at Al Rabe'a kindergarten, said pupils require a lot of care and attention. "I tend to be less active during Ramadan as people stay up late praying and reading Quran," she said.
Do you think the summer vacation should be extended to include the month of Ramadan? Or will it be take a heavy toll on the pupils' studies? What are your views on the issue?
By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter