Parents in UAE work on new holiday action plan

Dubai: Parents welcomed the decision to reopen schools after Eid holidays in September. However, they are concerned about how they will keep their children occupied during the extra free time.

Harry Maltby, a 35-year-old British expatriate, was happy with the decision.

He said: "It is really good to extend the school holidays as children who are fasting would otherwise have to be at school till the afternoon."

He felt that it would be better for both parents and children if schools resumed at the end of September.

Maltby said: "My wife is a teacher and she would be able to stay back in England for longer with my two-year-old son. It is really good for me, too, as it means I can work harder and earn a little more."

Gulf News reader Anil wrote on the newspaper's website: "I welcome the proposal considering the climate and Eid, however three months of continuous leave for the children in an academic year is not a very good idea. In such a case, it would have been ideal to end the term by middle of July and begin the school after the Eid."

Ameenah Bintory, a student, commented on gulfnews.com: "I agree with the decision to postpone the holidays till end of September &This is a great help from the authorities for the students, teachers and the school bus drivers. I hope all schools stick to this decision."

Parents had a different perspective. For 43-year-old Swedish expatriate, Asa Smith, the news meant a lot of hard work.

She is hoping to keep her six-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son in touch with basic mathematics and spelling by teaching them during the vacation.

She said: "Often, pupils have to remember what they learnt in the previous year and carry it forward. This is going to be very difficult now, as the gap would be of a good three months."

Tayyeba Hussain, a Pakistani expatriate and human resource manager, said: "Schools already enjoy long holidays, due to which teachers are always rushing to complete the syllabus on time. With the extension, I can't imagine how they would cover everything".

Dr Jaime Samour, a 54-year-old Salvadorian expatriate, hopes to continue the special classes his children take, to ensure they do not waste time.

He said: "&I want my children to have discipline and keep their minds active, so I will make sure they don't waste their time watching TV or playing computer games."


Do you think schools should start after Eid? Has this decision made you change your plans for the summer?

I think it's not a good decision. My daughter has a 16 weeks holiday now. And I really don't understand why suddenly this year it's such a problem that kids have to go to school during Ramadan. It has never been a problem the last years. A lot of people will stay in their home countries longer. That will also have an influence on the economy here I think. And why was this decision not taken earlier? Journalists only write about people being happy with the decision. I wonder if this all is true..
Lian Dissel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 18:27

If school starts on 23rd September, parents will pay full month fees only for 7 days school. This is loss for parents, not school. Also we have to pay full month transportation. In this situation parents sufffer.
Keerthi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 17:20

This decision is good but in my opinion it is too late.We made all plans according to the previous plan anyhow I have to work hard for this. During The holy month of Ramadan it becomes very hectic with children to prepare them for new session, so this year it will be little bit relaxing.
Dr Nadia Ahmad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 16:35

Two weeks extension will not make much difference (9 working days for the students and I believe many students are absent for 9 days in a particular term). It will be better to reduce winter break and mid term break holidays. I feel even the teachers should also report after Ramadan, as they also fast.
Zahid Y K
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 15:17

It is a great idea and I would like to thank the ministry for taking a very good decision Firstly for children to keep their mind fresh after long hours and also for teachers working for long hours and stay back anyway that period all the schools ends early and it is very good for those who are fasting and the students can make use of the hoilday by taking extra classes like tuitions otherwise there is not enough time during school hours.Please let us know as early as possible so we can reconfirm our tickets and stay little long in our home country. Thank you.
Lorina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 15:15

I appreciate the decision of the Ministry of Education, but they should look also on some schools, why they are charging for the full month on transportation fee for only 5-10 days of use and also on tuition fee, the school academic year starts on last week of September and ends on the second week of June they are charging for 10 months but the actual is only less than 9 months.
Jhun Lelina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 14:56

Surely, last year all the kids went back to school in September as usual and then started fasting a couple of weeks into term. Why should things be different this year? Does that mean in years to come kids will always get Ramadan off?
GL
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 14:38

Better to give students something to work on and keep their intellect intact, some projects or assignments should be given to keep them occupied and students should find some small jobs to gain experience and utilise time effectively, otherwise NO GOOD!
Kaptain Mirza
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 13:58

REGARDING THE SCHOOL VACATION - THE DECISION COULD HAVE BEEN MADE WELL IN ADVANCE RATHER THAN SUCH A LAST MINUTE DECISION. IF DECIDED IN ADVANCE AT LEAST THE START OF VACATION COULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MID OF JULY. THREE MONTHS VACATION IS NOT A GOOD ONE FOR EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS.
RAVI
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 13:56

I think this decision should have been taken in the month of April so that the school management could delay the closure for vacation ....Children who will be starting with their new session in September will find it difficult to cover the syllabus... Also the teachers will have to complete the course under crash course...
Vandana Sharma
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 13:10

I do understand the need for the local and muslim community in this special time of year for them.however see no need for the non muslim community to have to have their childrens education affected by this decision. state schools fine to closer, but, private schools should be given the option and i am sure most parents want their childrens education. after all the school terms is already short with so many holidays no they have a break more than 3 months.
Rob Tolley
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 12:54

The decision is very good for me as a parent. The families those who are in their country will get extended vacation and also they can celebrate festivals with their grand parents without omitting their classes. The missed classes should get on holidays.
Rani
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 12:49

i appreciate the unexpected holidays but as I have already made vacation plans , I will have to improvise at the last minute.Hope the Students are not taxed by this sudden decision.
Anna
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 12:45

The idea is welcomed keeping all aspects in mind,but am personally against last minute decisions,Education is very vital and three months holidays is not the best way out,if earlier projections were made by the relevant authorites,am sure schools could have continued till mid july and taken up a few chapters of the next syllabus.
Minesh Mehta
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 11:39

If this decision was taken before the schools were closed and people went home for vacation, parents could make better plans for the holidays. Last minute decisions cause inconvenience and pressure to parents, students and teachers alike. Children will be put to excessive pressure once schools reopen. This could have been avoided if the vacations started in end July instead of end June.
Mini Kuttan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 11:12

I sincerely appreciate the decision of schools being opened after Eid holidays. It is really a wise decision taken because there are many children who fast during Ramadan. Unlike other syllabus, CBSE curriculum does not begin in the month of September. Their curriculum begins in the month of April and they would have finished their I term before their summer break. In the normal course, teachers find it very difficult to remind the children about the portions taken prior to the summer holidays despite giving them sufficient loads of holiday homeworks. The whole of September normally is being spent in brushing up the memory of the kids about the previous terms' portions. This time, the extra holidays might not be much favourable to the teachers because of the unexpected gap.This change however does not really matter to children in lower grades but might slightly affect the parents, teachers and students of higher grades who are about to face their board exam this year. Every moment is so precious for them because it is all about their career and life.I also wish to add that there are Gulf countries who have already kept this in mind and have not closed the schools yet. Their academic year has been planned in such a way that the school continues till mid July and reopens by September end considering the fact that Ramadan falls in the hot summer months this time. Such planning could have been done by UAE too in advance.
Latha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 11:02

Insted of adding extra hours for classes why not extend the accademic for 20 days more as the next year we will be having the same problem. What about the teachers of private schools when will they be back as it is only mentioned for public schools?
Shaimaa
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 10:46

why many parents complain everytime? I'm happy that with extended holidays, I will be able to teach my kids understand the blessings of Ramadan and follow it nicely during holidays. Furthermore, traffic on the road will be less due to school holidays.
Aazam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 10:43

DEAR ALL,FASTING IS A COMPULSORY IN MUSLIM RELIGION FOR THE HOLY MONTH OF SHERULLA. AS A MUSLIM COUNTRY ONE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT SUPPORT FROM THE MUSLIM GOVERNMENT SO AS ALL STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO OBSERVE FAST DURING HOLY MONTH OF SHERULLA. IF SCHOOLS ARE OPEN MANY TEACHERS AND SPECIALLY STUDENTS ARE UNABLE TO FAST DUE TO WORKLOAD AND HIGH TEMPRATURES. THIS IDEA WILL DEFINITELY HELP THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY TO OBSERVE FAST.
A.K
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 09:50

It is a fantastic idea to extend the holidays until EID, but the authorities should have taken this decision a couple of months back. Now we have to reschedule our plans so that we can be with the family for EID. And getting approval for leave in the current scenario is tough with companies..
Suhail Zaidi
Ajman,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 09:49

Although it is late notice, a good decision if all private schools follow suit. Hope "Indian Schools" will notify all the parents or publish in their website about re-opening date soon to re-schedule their travel plans.
Mohammad Zaheer Oliyath Vazhayil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 09:25

It's a very good idea for both parents
James Al Huraiz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 09:02

No, children already have a long holiday. They then have to cramp learning when they return to cope with loss time. Extending hours is not a good solution as there is only so much concentration one can get from primary school-goers.
Anita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 08:50

I would be really thankful if all schools are going to take the decision to re- open after Eid because it is very tough to go to school while fasting, and the students cannot concentrate on studies and the teachers face a tough time in school during Ramadan. I study in a Indian school I wish even my school starts after Eid.
Mohammad Riznan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 08:18

Everyone seems happy now! But wait till school starts and you have longer working days and/or a six day week! That's the time Gulf News should ask people for their opinion. I'm sure everyone will have lots to say then - and not all of it positive either!
Nims K.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 07:13

I agree with the decision, but what about the students who do the international exams, will they finish on time? Their exams are on a fixed time.
Hala
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 06:19

I welcome the idea but does it mean that all the private schools in Dubai will also follow the same rule?
Mrs Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 04:08

I think that postponing the commencement of the schools till after the Eid is a very good idea as the children, parents and teachers won't have to bear the scorching sun while they fast. This decision has also provided people who are living away from their home countries to celebrate the festival of Eid with their families back home.
Mehreen Tarek
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 02:08

I'm glad at the wise decision made by the Ministry. I feel that this decision will help the pupils to lead a stress-free Ramadan, as they won't have to manage their academics along with their Fasting. Moreover the students will get much more time to prepare their portions before the next session begin. They will also be able to spend more time with their friends and relatives.
Rooshina Surendran Nair
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 03, 2009, 00:22