Dubai announces reduced school hours for the holy month

Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced on Friday that School timings in Dubai during Ramadan should not exceed more than five hours of instruction time.

Lalitha Suresh, principal at GEMS Our Own Indian School, Dubai said that they will hold a consultation with the parents to determine the actual timings and submit it to the KDHA.

Mohammed Darwish, Chief Executive Officer of Permits and Compliance at KHDA said that the school day during Ramadan will start between 8am to 8.30am and finish between 1pm to 1.30pm — with shorter breaks as required.

“Schools should ensure that the total hours at school per day for students do not exceed five hours," Darwish said.

"Fasting students should be exempt from physical education (PE) classes and any other demanding physical activities without influencing their grades and overall academic performance. All students must be protected from the risks of exhaustion and dehydration,” he added.

Some schools have set a 7.45am to 12.45pm schedule from Monday to Thursday; and the usual school timing on Fridays.