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Discuss this article (12 Comments)UAE schools to extend hours amid late start - paper
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Friday, 03 July 2009
Many private schools in the UAE will extend their work hours or stay open on Saturdays to make up for the loss of days following the education ministry’s decision to postpone the reopening of the 2009-10 academic year.
Classes in government schools for the academic year 2009-2010 have been postponed until after the holy month of Ramadan the ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
Though some parents welcomed the decision, some shared their concerns with Arabian Business, hoping that the move would not affect the study schedules of students.
The Gulf News daily reported that some private schools will seek the ministry's permission to work on Saturdays or have extended working hours. It quoted Ashok Kumar, CEO of Indian High School in Dubai, as saying that his school will have to work on Saturdays to compensate for the loss of days.
Schools will begin on September 23; administrative and teaching staff must report on September 13, the daily added.
Meanwhile in another interview with Arabian Business, a spokesperson at GEMS international school said that the enrolment figures next term are up 12 percent on last year, bucking the trend despite fears of an expatriate exodus from the UAE.
What do you think about the decision to postpone the reopening of schools? Share your views with us by posting a comment below:
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
...Extended further!
Posted by Abu Abdullah, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Thursday 10 September 2009 at 22:34 UAE time
In continuation with my earlier comments, here are the latest realities, (as of September 10th):
1. School finally decided to over extend the holidays and start on Sept 27th, for the O'Levels syllabi students.
2. No definite commitment/plan to cover the syllabi within the shortened calender. As feared, the students will have to ABSORB more within less time.
3. No definite plan to check on the out-of-UAE-returning students, with regards to H1N1.
4. No compensation to the students/parents.
5. Behaviour of the school staff turns plastic (making faces) with the parent(s), if the parents want to talk about the extension issue ('live with it or leave'... attitude),
Last but not the least:
6. The students, using the transport (outsourced) will be required to pay for the FULL MONTH TRANSPORTATION CHARGES, even if they use the transport for the three days in September!!!
Conclusion: Parents and students will suffer...There seems to be no one to listen to them or help them out...School authorities feel happy, as no one will be able to harness them, ever!
Thanks for your time.
Keep smiling!!!
Posted by Abu Abdullah, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Thursday 10 September 2009 at 22:34 UAE time
In continuation with my earlier comments, here are the latest realities, (as of September 10th):
1. School finally decided to over extend the holidays and start on Sept 27th, for the O'Levels syllabi students.
2. No definite commitment/plan to cover the syllabi within the shortened calender. As feared, the students will have to ABSORB more within less time.
3. No definite plan to check on the out-of-UAE-returning students, with regards to H1N1.
4. No compensation to the students/parents.
5. Behaviour of the school staff turns plastic (making faces) with the parent(s), if the parents want to talk about the extension issue ('live with it or leave'... attitude),
Last but not the least:
6. The students, using the transport (outsourced) will be required to pay for the FULL MONTH TRANSPORTATION CHARGES, even if they use the transport for the three days in September!!!
Conclusion: Parents and students will suffer...There seems to be no one to listen to them or help them out...School authorities feel happy, as no one will be able to harness them, ever!
Thanks for your time.
Keep smiling!!!
Extending Holidays - More syllabus to cover in less time!
Posted by Abu Adbullah, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Wednesday 26 August 2009 at 17:26 UAE time
I appreciate Govt's decision for Govt schools and also appreciate the choice given to private schools, if they want to open schools late. Unfortunately some private schools have taken the shelter of Govt's decision and are forcing the extended holidays on the students/parents. It looks like, the school administrations will never want to miss a chance to save on THEIR expenses while there is no compensation to the students/parents. Will the schools waive-off one month's fee so that the parents can send the affected students to summer camps??? Ironically one famous school in Abu Dhabi has double standards too! When checked with administration, it was noted that the classes for the CBSE syllabus (for Indian nationals) will resume in the first week of September whereas under the same administration, the classes for the O'Levels syllabi (non-Indian nationals) will resume after Eid (Sept 23rd). The same school also announced the summer vacation well before, when many other schools were still open!
It is very hard to understand, what good will it do to the students, not yet in the fasting age? Depending upon the age, on average, students upto 4th/5th standard do not necessarily fast. Majority of the staff, in the above said school are non-Muslims and Ramadan should not affect them either.
In short, the victims of these extended holidays will be the poor students. They will be required to CRAM more, within less time.
None of the parents, I personally know, are happy with the private school's decision to extend the holidays. The school authorities also provide missleading information by saying "You are the first parent, objecting the extension". I believe, still there is time. I'll suggest private schools to seek parents' opinion (in writing) about the extension of the holidays, and make the records available to the parents. Early opening of schools will save small children from 'remaining locked' inside small rooms.
Posted by Abu Adbullah, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Wednesday 26 August 2009 at 17:26 UAE time
I appreciate Govt's decision for Govt schools and also appreciate the choice given to private schools, if they want to open schools late. Unfortunately some private schools have taken the shelter of Govt's decision and are forcing the extended holidays on the students/parents. It looks like, the school administrations will never want to miss a chance to save on THEIR expenses while there is no compensation to the students/parents. Will the schools waive-off one month's fee so that the parents can send the affected students to summer camps??? Ironically one famous school in Abu Dhabi has double standards too! When checked with administration, it was noted that the classes for the CBSE syllabus (for Indian nationals) will resume in the first week of September whereas under the same administration, the classes for the O'Levels syllabi (non-Indian nationals) will resume after Eid (Sept 23rd). The same school also announced the summer vacation well before, when many other schools were still open!
It is very hard to understand, what good will it do to the students, not yet in the fasting age? Depending upon the age, on average, students upto 4th/5th standard do not necessarily fast. Majority of the staff, in the above said school are non-Muslims and Ramadan should not affect them either.
In short, the victims of these extended holidays will be the poor students. They will be required to CRAM more, within less time.
None of the parents, I personally know, are happy with the private school's decision to extend the holidays. The school authorities also provide missleading information by saying "You are the first parent, objecting the extension". I believe, still there is time. I'll suggest private schools to seek parents' opinion (in writing) about the extension of the holidays, and make the records available to the parents. Early opening of schools will save small children from 'remaining locked' inside small rooms.
on extending holidays
Posted by s s v, dubai, uae on Tuesday 18 August 2009 at 19:24 UAE time
Eventhough I accept and respect the beliefs of all religions,the Ministry's declaration of extending the summer holidays in order to facilitate fasting doesn't seem to be a wise and fair decision.
I feel the following reasons for this
1. the school timings are already shortened from 8.30 to 1.30(5 hours) during ramadaan
2.mostly children above 8 years fast all days.they can control themselves from playing outside and sit in ac rooms for these hours and listen like prayers to their classes.
3. even outdoor assemblies or any such activities which cause tiredness are avoided in this month.portions can be diluted
4.and Islam or any religion doesn't insist fasting avoiding our duties rather it should be done with more energy from the almighty.
5.extending holidays will cause overburden of studying more portions in a limited time.20 days are valuable in a school calendar.
Posted by s s v, dubai, uae on Tuesday 18 August 2009 at 19:24 UAE time
Eventhough I accept and respect the beliefs of all religions,the Ministry's declaration of extending the summer holidays in order to facilitate fasting doesn't seem to be a wise and fair decision.
I feel the following reasons for this
1. the school timings are already shortened from 8.30 to 1.30(5 hours) during ramadaan
2.mostly children above 8 years fast all days.they can control themselves from playing outside and sit in ac rooms for these hours and listen like prayers to their classes.
3. even outdoor assemblies or any such activities which cause tiredness are avoided in this month.portions can be diluted
4.and Islam or any religion doesn't insist fasting avoiding our duties rather it should be done with more energy from the almighty.
5.extending holidays will cause overburden of studying more portions in a limited time.20 days are valuable in a school calendar.
A different Comment
Posted by arif, Trivandrum, India on Tuesday 7 July 2009 at 23:33 UAE time
I have gone through the readers' comments. Here each one is condering his/her own convenience. Let the majority of UAE's fasting student community perform the holy fasting without the the heavy Sun beat of September and compensate the nearly 22 working days (approximately 132 hours) according to their convenience. Let's think of the majority's convenience and not ours alone. When we think about others comfort this world will be a superfine planet. Plz. think that it is the tender ones who go to school, not the parents. Plz. make the homework the headache of the students, not the parents's.
Posted by arif, Trivandrum, India on Tuesday 7 July 2009 at 23:33 UAE time
I have gone through the readers' comments. Here each one is condering his/her own convenience. Let the majority of UAE's fasting student community perform the holy fasting without the the heavy Sun beat of September and compensate the nearly 22 working days (approximately 132 hours) according to their convenience. Let's think of the majority's convenience and not ours alone. When we think about others comfort this world will be a superfine planet. Plz. think that it is the tender ones who go to school, not the parents. Plz. make the homework the headache of the students, not the parents's.
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