UAE: Staggered dismissals, shorter hours mark first full school day of Ramadan
Students returned to school on their first full day following the beginning of Ramadan on March 1. To help families avoid road congestion during pick-up times the first day began with staggered school dismissals.
The first day required adjustments but operated smoothly according to Ben Cooper, Primary Principal of GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail. The delayed start now enables younger students to better handle their morning schedules while families adapt to the new routine. A staggered dismissal system helps manage traffic flow while making student pick-up more convenient for parents.
Copper stated that attendance levels maintained their normal pattern while punctuality changes were necessary to handle Ramadan-related traffic. The registration period has been extended to assist families with adapting to the new schedule.
The majority of schools now operate an abbreviated school day from 8am to 1pm while their staff work from 7.30am to 1.30pm to accommodate Ramadan schedules. Throughout this period educational institutions emphasize reviewing existing material and reinforcing previous lessons instead of teaching new content.
Cooper explained that lessons now emphasize reviewing and reinforcing previous material instead of teaching new subjects. Even though our lessons have become shorter we maintain a diverse curriculum which includes physical education and specific subjects such as swimming to keep students active while efficient lesson transitions ensure we maximize effective learning time.
The Central School Dubai Principal Mohammedali Kottakkulam stated they introduced several important changes during Ramadan. As a two-shift school our schedule now includes shorter school hours for both shifts. Students have dedicated spaces to observe their Zuhr prayer during school hours. We have worked extensively to make religious activities run without interruption so students can enjoy valuable time dedicated to these activities.
Late start but gates open early
To help working parents schools with later start times open their gates early.
We have changed school operations in line with ADEK guidelines to accommodate families observing fasting. The school begins at 9am but we permit entry to families as early as 8am so they can deliver their children before starting work.
We offer a broad curriculum and adapted PE lessons which continue to provide enjoyable physical activity while maintaining student well-being during fasting periods.
Huyser confirmed impressive attendance rates throughout every year group as students showed eagerness to share their fasting experiences.
The day began wonderfully for us with a whole-school Ramadan assembly which established the theme for the entire day. Huyser confirmed that both students and parents are pleased about their return to school without any problems occurring.
Institutions conduct examinations
Some Indian curriculum schools are currently conducting their final or board examinations.
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School in Dubai, confirmed that their administration distributed the revised Ramadan schedule to all stakeholders last week. The new schedule instructed students and staff to disperse at noon today. With strong dedication to academic success our students fully participated in their scheduled final exam assessments.
The first day demonstrated excellent attendance as students and staff arrived promptly showing their dedication to a successful school year. We haven't faced any major challenges up to now and will work to guarantee a seamless transition until the holy month ends.
The student enrollment remains complete during the year-end examinations period except for those absent due to medical leave according to Mohammedali Kottakkulam. School buses experienced delays reaching their destination because of heavy traffic that developed due to changes in school timing schedules. The students who travel by public transport encountered delays because they needed to adjust to the new schedule resulting from the Ramadan change. We expect a return to normalcy because today was the initial day of these changes. The school maintains a strong commitment to ensure operations run smoothly throughout this timeframe.
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