Education Ministry rules out clubbing Eid, National Day holidays for schools

The Ministry of Education and Youth yesterday clarified that Eid holidays for all schools will begin on 29th of Ramadan, falling on November 24, and last for three days.

Officials also confirmed that November 29, 30 and December 1 will be working days for all schools. However, schools will remain closed on December 2 and 3 for National Day celebrations.

"Eid holidays will start on the 29th of Ramadan, which is likely to be the last day of the holy month, falling on November 24," said Abdallah Za'l, Director of the Minister's office for Technical Affairs.

Speaking to Gulf News, he said Eid holidays will cover three working days, November 24, 25 and 26. Schools will reopen after the weekend on November 29.

Following press reports which suggested that Eid and National Day holidays will be merged, Za'l said the ministry will not combine them and students are advised not to miss school.

A meeting of the undersecretaries on Sunday also urged the school administrations to curb student absenteeism between November 29 and December 1 and vowed to take measures against those who do not attend classes without a valid reason.

Za'l also said schools will get additional holidays on November 22 and November 23, in case it is the first day of Shawwal.

But till yesterday some of the schools were unaware of the decision. Vijay Kaul, Principal of the Abu Dhabi Indian School, said they were waiting for a circular from the ministry.

Peter Lugg, Principal of the Cambridge High School, said reports about Eid holidays were confusing. "It is not clear when will the holidays start. We are contacting the ministry to get a clear picture."

The Islamic English School was, however, aware of the decision as it contacted the ministry. Ministry officials said the confusion was created since the Education Ministry follows decision of the Ministry of Higher Education, which combined the two holidays for students in colleges and universities.