Headteachers and parents are preparing for a longer school day next term when the UAE public sector moves to a 4.5 day working week.
Officials in several emirates confirmed that schools will move with the new Saturday-Sunday weekend, although school hours have not yet been set out.
School leaders who spoke to The National said it was highly likely that pupils would soon be studying until 3pm or 3.30pm instead of 2pm to ensure they progress through the curriculum.
Manju Reji, principal at India International School in Sharjah, said she would consider extending by up to 90 minutes.
We need to accommodate all the changes and have a lot of syllabus to cover
Manju Reji,
India International School in Sharjah
She said she was waiting for instructions from the regulator, Sharjah Private Education Authority, but needed to plan ahead with just a few days to go before pupils break up for the winter holidays.
At present, children attend classes between 7.30am and 2pm, but the hours may be extended to 3.30pm if a three-day weekend is in place.
“The number of working hours could be increased per day. SPEA has to update us on how many hours we can work in a day,” Ms Reji said.
“For now it is only for public sector, but schools may have to align.
"We need to accommodate all the changes because we follow the Indian curriculum and have a lot of syllabus to cover."
From Monday January 3, 2022, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, schools will move to a Monday to Friday week, with a half day on Friday, in line with much of the government sector.
In Sharjah, leaders said on Thursday that its public sector would switch to a four-day working week – the first in the Middle East – and a Friday to Sunday weekend.
On social media, there was much debate among parents as to whether Sharjah schools would give pupils Friday off or if they would go in for several hours – 8am until 11.30am for example.
Nora Saleem, a mother of two from Jordan, told The National: “It would not make sense to give parents a holiday on Friday while their kids go to school, since the decision is to give more quality time for parents to spend with their children.”
She said her children's school, International School of Choueifat in Sharjah, would need to make up for the "loss of about six hours due to the Friday holiday, in a smooth way that will neither pressure the pupil nor the teachers and parents".
Ibrahim Younis, who has children in Grade 8 and 12, wants his children to get outside more and learn away from the classroom. He said at least some of a three-day weekend could be spent preparing for in-school lessons.
“I don’t want my children to spend most of their day within the walls of their school, because children need breathing space," he said.
A few schools have already independently set out their timetables.
Dubai’s Al Ittihad Private School published its revised timetable that showed hours will be extended from 2pm to 3pm on weekdays, and on Friday from 8am to 11.30am.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier
Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
- Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
- Oman v Hong Kong, no result
Tuesday fixtures:
- Malaysia v Singapore
- UAE v Oman
- Nepal v Hong Kong
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Dunki
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My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
Zayed Sustainability Prize
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
