UAE Revises Friday School Hours from January 9

The Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates has announced an update to school timings on Fridays, effective January 9, 2024, in order to align with the national prayer schedule. This adjustment comes in response to a nationwide decision to shift the timing of Friday prayers and sermons to 12:45 PM. The aim is to allow students and educators to observe their religious commitments while ensuring the continuity of the educational process. According to the new guidelines issued by the Ministry, dismissal times for students on Fridays will vary based on their educational cycle. For kindergartens, the school day will run from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. In Cycle 1, which encompasses primary education, schools will have two options for scheduling: either from 7:10 AM to 10:30 AM or from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. For Cycles 2 and 3, which include intermediate and secondary levels, boys will attend from 7:10 AM to 10:30 AM, while girls will have classes from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The Ministry has also encouraged private educational institutions to adopt the revised schedule, emphasizing that Friday school hours should not extend beyond 11:30 AM. This initiative is designed to provide students ample time to prepare for Friday prayers and to foster family unity. The Ministry articulated that this decision underscores its dedication to creating a flexible learning environment that acknowledges the significance of Fridays in the UAE. By synchronizing school hours with religious practices, the Ministry seeks to reinforce the values of faith and national identity as integral components of students' character development. Furthermore, it was clarified that Friday will continue to be recognized as a standard instructional day, with all existing attendance and dismissal policies remaining in effect. The Ministry assured that the quality of education would not be compromised despite the shortened school day.

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