School Breaks in Dubai: Dubai students are gearing up for an extended three-week-long school break, aligning with the Holy month of Ramadan and the anticipated Eid Al Fitr holidays. The Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has released the holiday dates for School Breaks in Dubai, providing both students and educators with a clear timeline for the upcoming break.
School Breaks in Dubai
According to the Hijri calendar published on the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) website, Ramadan is set to begin on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. In sync with this, private schools in Dubai, as per the KHDA website, will observe a break from Monday, March 25, to Monday, April 15, 2024. This extended holiday period, surpassing the usual two-week break, is attributed to the expected Eid Al Fitr festival, potentially falling on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, contingent upon the sighting of the moon.
The potential nine-day School Breaks in Dubai, when factoring in weekends before and after the specified period, has generated anticipation among students and families. However, the confirmation of the School Breaks in Dubai is subject to the official Moon Sighting Committee and the appearance of the crescent moon.
Several school principals shed light on the impact of the extended break on academic schedules. Mohammedali Kottakulam, Principal of Gulf Indian High School Dubai, shared, “Our annual exams are scheduled to end by March 14, and the new academic year 2024-25 will begin from April 1, 2024.” The flexibility provided to schools in managing their calendars ensures they meet the required minimum number of school days, which is 188 days for the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum and 182 days for the international curriculum.
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School, emphasized the varied break durations for different year groups. She stated, “The last working day for our students of PreKG to Grade 8 is 18 March, concluding with their final exams, while our grade 9 and 11 students will continue school till March 22 with their bridge classes for their next academic grade.”
The rationale behind the extended break was highlighted by Steven Lupton, Principal of Repton Abu Dhabi. He emphasized the significance of allowing students to immerse themselves fully in the Holy month, participate in religious observances, and spend quality time with their families. Lupton mentioned, “ADEK have confirmed that the spring break will also include the Eid Al Fitr holiday.”
School heads also pointed out that most international curricula schools will conclude internal assessments for Term 2 before the start of Ramadan. This ensures students have the opportunity to actively participate in religious and cultural activities associated with the Holy month without academic pressures.
Addressing the upcoming external examinations, headteachers explained that the testing window for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) would last for about four weeks, with A-Level and GCSE examinations scheduled for May and June. Internal exams for other year groups are planned for May and June, well after the return from the extended spring break.
It’s crucial to note that, as per the KHDA, private schools can tentatively communicate public holidays, such as Eid, to parents, confirming them once declared by the UAE government authority. Principals, like Sarah O’Regan from GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, emphasized the dependence on the official Moon Sighting Committee for confirmation of holidays, signaling the significance of lunar observations in determining School Breaks in Dubai.
As Dubai students eagerly await the extended School Breaks in Dubai, the educational institutions are gearing up to ensure a smooth transition into the new academic year, balancing the academic calendar with cultural and religious observances. The upcoming three-week holiday is not just a respite from regular school routines but also an opportunity for students to engage actively in religious and cultural activities, fostering a deeper connection with their traditions.