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Starting January 9, schools across the UAE will implement a shorter school day on Fridays, allowing students from kindergarten to grade 12 to leave earlier. This adjustment aligns with the newly set 12:45 PM Friday prayer time, thereby giving families more time for religious observance. The change reflects a nationwide initiative to harmonize academic schedules with cultural and spiritual commitments.
Primary School Adjustments
For kindergarten classes, schedules will run from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Cycle 1 students, which include grades 1 to 4, will follow staggered schedules to manage classroom and transportation logistics:
- First group: 7:10 AM to 10:30 AM
- Second group: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
These adjustments are designed to ensure parents have enough time to pick up their children and attend Friday prayers without feeling rushed, all while still meeting the required curriculum hours.
Timings for Cycles 2 and 3
For students in Cycles 2 and 3, which encompass grades 6 to 12, the Ministry has established separate timings for boys and girls:
- Boys: 7:10 AM to 10:30 AM
- Girls: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Additionally, schools may offer online learning for students in grade 6 and above on Fridays. These arrangements will require parental consultation and approval from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to provide flexibility while maintaining academic continuity.
Early Dismissal for Private Schools and Early Childhood Centres
The KHDA in Dubai confirmed that all private schools and early childhood centres will conclude lessons by 11:30 AM on Fridays, effective from January 9. Many schools have begun communicating these revised hours to parents. This adjustment follows the nationwide change of Friday prayer timings to 12:45 PM, as confirmed by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Awqaf and Zakat. The KHDA emphasized that schools can implement staggered or phased dismissal arrangements to effectively address operational and academic needs while minimizing disruption to teaching and learning.
Wider Implications for Families
While this change primarily aligns with religious timings, parents have noted that it affects daily routines beyond the classroom. The earlier dismissal impacts traffic flow, workplace arrangements, and childcare schedules. Families especially feel the pressure in the short window between school pick-up and Friday prayers, illustrating the practical repercussions of the new timing.
The KHDA describes this move as a balance between students’ well-being and curriculum requirements, ensuring effective learning while allowing families the opportunity to participate in Friday prayers.
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