UAE schools adjust timings to beat the heat amid rising temperatures

Abu Dhabi: In response to soaring temperatures and growing concerns from parents, many schools across the country have adjusted their operating hours to ensure student comfort and safety while maintaining educational quality.

Starting Monday, April 28, most schools will follow a revised timetable, with classes running from 7:15am to 1:35pm, Monday through Thursday, and from 7.15 am to 11am on Fridays, the UAE Ministery of Education announced.

The decision comes as part of a broader move to align school operations with the country’s flexible learning framework, while still upholding the academic standards set by the Ministry of Education. Early years students and lesson durations will remain consistent with ministry regulations.

Attendance guidelines

School administrations have issued clear attendance guidelines, stating that school gates will open at 7am and close at 7:30am. Late arrivals must be justified by a guardian through direct communication with school officials. Emphasising the importance of punctuality, administrators highlighted its impact on student discipline and academic performance.

Parents have been urged to support the new schedule by reinforcing its importance at home, ensuring students adapt smoothly and continue their academic progress without disruption.

Training for academic counsellors

Separately, the Ministry of Education has introduced a series of comprehensive training programs for academic counsellors in public and private schools under its curriculum. These initiatives are designed to enhance counsellors’ ability to guide students and parents through the academic decision-making process.

The training will cover a range of topics including career guidance, personal counselling, and the use of modern tools to help students align their educational paths with both personal interests and labor market demands. The ministry stated that these efforts aim to build a more supportive and responsive counselling system across the country.

Redesigned pathways

In parallel, the Ministry has rolled out its redesigned Educational Pathways System for secondary education, affecting both public schools and private institutions following its curriculum. The updated system now offers only the General and Advanced tracks, with curriculum enhancements tailored to students’ academic strengths and future goals.