Private schools in Abu Dhabi have informed parents of students to disable the study for a whole week, starting from Sunday until Thursday, and described the decision as a mid-term vacation, while parents of students expressed their objection to the frequent suspension of study, which contributes to the length of time for the academic year, demanding By canceling such leave to finish the school year early.
In detail, a number of parents of students in private schools in Abu Dhabi reported that they were affected by the school decisions to stop the study, pointing out that this caused them a particular confusion for families where parents work where young children will not find their caregivers during the presence of parents in their time, in addition to the different holidays Among the brothers whose schools did not approve this leave.
Parents of students pointed out that the academic year started on the first of September last and ends on July 2, 2020, while the actual study days "school days", including the days of exams 185 days, compared to 90 days of weekly and official holidays and quarterly holidays, pointing out that the addition of a week off The mid-term of the semester, in addition to the days of celebrations and activities held by schools periodically reduces the actual study days to about 160 days at most, which means that about 40% of the duration of the academic year holidays, and that the actual study days after the deduction of exams and collective absence in schools Ramadan and before the holidays and the dead Bars less than half of the scheduled time for the academic year.
They called for the need to reconsider the recurring vacations during the school year, and to shorten the duration of the school year by reducing the days of holidays between the semesters so that the duration of winter leave is two weeks instead of a month, and the duration of spring leave one week, until the end of the school year early, and include this period To year-end leave.
University students get a summer break between academic years of at least three months. The academic year at the UAE universities starts in mid-August and ends in mid-May, while younger students continue to study in schools until July.
In contrast, the Department of Education and Knowledge determined that the school calendar and the minimum hours of teaching, not less than 175 school days per academic year, and the principal can discuss the school calendar with the Board of Trustees of the school, provided that each school submit its school calendar 8 months before the start of the school year To obtain the approval of the Department.
The Department explained in the Guide to the policies of private schools, schools are committed to submit the annual school calendar to obtain the approval of the Department within the specified period, and to inform the school staff, students and parents on the annual school calendar.