From the Editors: UAE schools take to new weekend schedule in right earnest

UAE SCHOOLS TAKE TO NEW WEEKEND SCHEDULE IN RIGHT EARNEST: As the UAE has moved to a new weekend schedule in the new year, schools and educational institutions all over the country have recalibrated their daily routines and timings to be in sync with the new four-and-a-half working week rule. In Sharjah, educational institutions are now observing a four-day workweek, with the weekend commencing on Friday and running through till Sunday for all in the emirate. In view of these changes, all schools are either starting their daily schedule a little earlier than what they used to for so long or they have extended their daily hours of operation marginally to cope with the shorter pedagogical weekly calendar. With the changed weekends, as the rest of the country is now moving completely lock-step with the rest of the world in terms of work-life balance, educational institutions in the UAE and all stakeholders related to the sector – students, parents, academic regulators -- too have shown enough pragmatism and flexibility to work in tandem with the changes. This is yet again an affirmation of the dynamism that the entire nation symbolises and its firm resolve to change with the times. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

DIALOGUE IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD FOR SUDAN: Sudan has been in a state of flux ever since the government was dissolved on October 25. Dozens have been killed and the crisis has upended Sudan’s plans to move to democracy. The resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok on Sunday amid political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests further derailed the country’s fragile transition move. Hamdok, a former UN official seen as the civilian face of Sudan’s transitional government, had been reinstated as prime minister in November as part of an agreement with the military following the October crisis. His resignation throws Sudan into political uncertainty again amid uphill security and economic challenges. Now it’s time for an international mediator to step in and hold a dialogue between the military and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), the main drivers of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Omar Al Bashir regime in 2019, to rewrite the roadmap that will usher in stability and peace. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]

CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL SERVED UP A CLASSIC AT STAMFORD BRIDGE ON SUNDAY NIGHT- BUT THE 2-2 RESULT DID NEITHER SIDE ANY BIG FAVOURS: With Manchester City 11 points clear of the Blues and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds a point further back, both sides were desperate for a win in an attempt to reel in the defending champions. But they both had to settle for a point apiece as Chelsea mounted an amazing fightback from 2-0 down to frustrate Liverpool. With Pep Guardiola’s side facing Chelsea at the Etihad next on January 15 and on an 11-game winning streak, they will take some stopping in their quest for a fourth English Premier League title in five years. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

JANET JACKSON FINALLY SPEAKS HER TRUTH: The rise and fall of Janet Jackson is a case study in how misogyny is still rampant in the corridors of power. The talented singer, whose childhood was largely overshadowed by her gifted siblings, still touched the pinnacle of success by carving out her own solo career in the 80s and 90s before it all came to pass, first by a child abuse scandal that engulfed her brother Michael Jackson, followed by that infamous Super Bowl performance of 2004. Now, years later, the ‘Rhythm Nation’ singer is ready to speak her truth in a new documentary titled ‘Janet’, which also lists her as an executive producer. Not only does she address how Michael’s scandal affected her career, but the 55-year-old also speaks about that the halftime show scandal that saw Justin Timberlake get off unscathed but brought Janet’s career to a grinding halt. At a time when music documentaries are fast becoming the flavor of the month, it is about time we hear her side of the story. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]