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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.
Your comments
Yes starting after Ramadan is a fantastic idea. The time has to be more productive rather than just physically attending school. I personally feel this period can be covered by teachers, students and their parents since it's team work.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:49
It would be more practical to start after Ramadan as students tend to be more lethargic and are not so hyped up while they fast. So, it will be better for them to stay at home.
Sabeehah
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:17
It will be nice to extend the Summer vacation till after Ramadan. My son is currently in our home country on vacation. If the approval is given, I will ask my son to stay longer. Specially to enjoy Ramadan and Eid back home.
Siddique
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:13
No the summer vacation should not be extended as it will be an extra burden on the child and the parent in terms of study load.
Sujata
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:09
In my opinion, the initiation of the acadamic year should be postponed to after the Holy month of Ramadan.
Please consider that this is a Muslim Country, and during the month of Ramadan we are pre-occupied with reading the Quran, Fasting, etc. So, parents can't focus on their child's education.
Muhammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:09
This is somehow not reasonable as in the beginning of the year there is not much to do and usually the first few weeks are just refreshing weeks for the students. If they are given an extra month's holiday they would have stayed without any school work for four to five months.
In additiopn, one month deducted from the schedule will increase the pressure on teachers and students.
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:06
I truly agree with the point that the new academic year should start after Ramadan so as to help pupils, teachers and parents as everybody who is fasting tends to be less active. Reciting of the Quran and concentrating on studies are not up to the mark.
Mustafa
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 10:05
I totally disagree with the suggestion. Looking at academic calenders of schools, the actual number of days for study are already far less. Ramadan does not ask to stop daily work. If this was the case, then we should stop work for all the labourers since their job is much harder. I do not think schools and parents should seek such excuses to extend the leaves and put burden on children at the end.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 09:06
I think the new semester should be postponed to start after Ramadan or even sometime between Ramadan. I think even universities should do the same, since classes remain the same length, and there is no shade around the campus and it's really hot. I don't know how people will manage school, work, university this new academic year.
Amna
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 08:44
I think its not a good idea to start school late because later on there will be extreme presure on teachers and students in covering the course material. Instead, teachers should keep there progress slow during the Holy month of Ramadan, so that there is not much burden on students.
Faisal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 08:41
Postponing the start of the academic year will result in a late end, leaving students to attend classes during mid-July, when the weather conditions are really harsh. Also, it would lead to a drop in the quality of teaching, in order to speed up the lectures and meet the overall schedule. I believe this would have a negative affect on my children.
Suzana
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 08:39
In my view, there is no need to extend the summer vacation based on the reason that Ramadan is coming and it is difficult for students and teachers to work hard. Ramadan is a holy month which gives us great strength to work. There is no rule in Islam that during Ramadan we should cut-off all your social activities.
Zahid
Rawalpindi,Pakistan
Posted: July 29, 2008, 08:38
I think there's no need to extend the summer holidays as students will become lazier to go to their respective schools. A three month holiday is more than enough.
Nora
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 08:37
I don't think the summer vacation should be extended because it will make the school year longer. Schools have to complete a certain number of teaching days. It is only 3 weeks and then people will have the Eid vacation anyway.
Ramadan is not an excuse to 'holiday'- life should go on as normal and we should adjust our schedules in order to maximise the benefit of the rewards of Ramadan.
Kim
Doha,Qatar
Posted: July 29, 2008, 08:18
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