New UAE weekend: Sharjah schools reach out to parents to decide on best academic model

Schools were recently given the option to adopt one of three models to make up for the loss of an academic day every week

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Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Wed 22 Dec 2021, 2:51 PM

Last updated: Wed 22 Dec 2021, 4:36 PM

Sharjah's private schools are reaching out to parents to determine the most suitable model to make up for the loss of an academic day from 2022, when the new three-day weekend goes in to effect.

Along with government departments in Sharjah, schools will remain shut on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from the new year. This means pupils will lose out on one academic day per week. Schools were recently given the option to follow one of three models to make up for the loss.

Samer Sarhane, principal of Al Maarifa International Private School, said the school had attended a meeting with the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) to discuss ways to efficiently implement the three-day weekend in the new year.

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"We are sending surveys to parents and discussing with them the options to determine the exact systems that need to be implemented by the next term," Sarhane said.

During the meeting with SPEA, Sarhane said the school management was briefed on the requirements of different curricula, each of which has specific school hours and certain academic credits.

"We are working to choose the option that would ensure the progress of education in a proper manner as per the new system of four working days a week," Sarhane said.

The schools, he noted, are making "great efforts" to involve the parents and implement the new decision.

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Another education official also said the management is holding meetings with staff and communicating with parents through surveys to choose an appropriate system that will fulfil the required credit hours for the next academic year.

According to SPEA, schools can choose to increase daily timings, hold online classes after school hours or add one extra week to the academic year.

Schools in the six Emirates are required to close by noon so that Muslim students can attend the Friday prayers, which will be hosted after 1.15pm.

Some schools in Dubai will be increasing school days to make up for the loss of the academic half-day. Other schools will revise break timings.

Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Wed 22 Dec 2021, 2:51 PM

Last updated: Wed 22 Dec 2021, 4:36 PM

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