News Dubai

Ministry studies proposal to change school timing
By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter

Dubai: The ministry of education is studying a proposal to start the school day at public schools one hour later during winter time.

Dr Fawzia Badri, Deputy Executive Director for Educational Affairs, at the ministry told Gulf News that they are studying a proposal to change the timing for public schools during winter.

"In order to avoid having children going to school while it is still dark, a proposal to start the school day an hour later is on the table" said Badri.

Currently, male pupils have to start their school day at 7am and females start their day at 8am, but a decision which is expected today might change this.

However, principals in public schools had a mixed reaction to the change in timings. Mohammad Hassan, Principal of Mohammad Bin Rashid Boys School, said to start the day an hour later during winter is essential for the welfare of the student as waiting for a bus while it's dark is dangerous.

"Furthermore, there is a short time between the Fajr prayer and the start of the school day which makes them late to school," said Hassan adding that late arrivals almost double during winter.

Mohammad Al Mass, Principal of Al Ma'aref School, said that late arrivals are a bit more during winter but it is not a trend.

"I do not think that there should be a major change in school timings especially that now children are avoiding the rush hour traffic but to change the school day would mean that the children will go home when it is dark," said Al Mass.

Jaffar Al Fardan, Principal of Al Sa'aedia School, said that to change the school day will only cause a disturbance of the children's education as breaking the pattern could be harmful.

"There is no need for a shift especially that coming early to school means finishing early which means that the pupils will have a lot of free time which they can invest in doing their homework or other activities," said Al Fardan.

Badriya Al Habtoor, Principal of Al Umma School for elementary education for girls, said that the solution is not to change the timing but to provide enough transportation so all pupils can start school at the same time.

"Currently, boys have to start an hour earlier only because there is not enough transportation. But if the ministry provided transportation that could accommodate both boys and girls at the same time the problem would be saved," said Al Habtoor.