Schools to open August 31

Schools across the UAE will open on schedule on August 31, the Ministry of Education on Monday confirmed to students, parents and teachers who wanted to delay the opening by a month to cope with Ramadan.

This year, the holy month of fasting and classes are starting together, which, coupled with the hot weather here, had pushed many residents to ask the ministry for a postponement.

Some Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia have decided to start classes after Ramadan, in October.

However, an official statement this week put aside rumours – and hopes – of any such delay in the Emirates.

Mohamed Bin Hindi, Executive Director for Institutional Affairs and Supporting Services of the UAE education ministry, said that August 24 will be the official start date of the academic year 2008/2009 for all administrative and teaching staff.

Students, meanwhile, return to classes August 31.

Bin Hindi said: “Neglecting the benefit of students … cannot be accepted as this decision can have negative impacts on students. The academic year is connected to a studied plan that coincides with the curriculum of every year and stage. Therefore, it is not reasonable at all to postpone or delay the academic year. Such a decision will lead to shortening the curriculums and eliminating the days of the next summer holidays. Thus, the Ministry of Education will not accept this. The Ministry assures that the school academic year will begin on the specified date with no delays.”

Private schools that follow curriculums other than the UAE syllabus will open in the first two weeks of September.