Ministry of Education reveals Ramadan school hours

The Ministry of Education has issued a comprehensive decision outlining Ramadan school hours for all educational institutions, including public, special education, religious, and private Arab schools.

Nur Al-Hamdan, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, announced that kindergarten classes will commence at 9:40 am, concluding at 1:10 pm. Elementary school classes will commence at 9:40 am and conclude at 1:40 pm with five classes, comprising five 40-minute sessions.

In the circular, Al-Hamdan outlined that middle school hours during Ramadan will be from 9:20 am to 1:50 pm. There will be six classes, each lasting 40 minutes. High school hours will be from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, also with six 40-minute classes.

Al-Hamdan emphasized in the directive that the General Education Sector would issue detailed organizational circulars outlining the curriculum adjustments for each educational level during the sacred month of Ramadan.

Additionally, the ministry will set the schedules for adult education and literacy centers. Special education schools will tailor their schedules to align with those of public schools at various levels, ensuring that their school days commence simultaneously.

Al-Hamdan mentioned in the decision that the General Education Sector will issue organizational circulars regarding the curriculum for each educational stage to be implemented during the holy month of Ramadan. It will also determine the school hours for adult education and literacy centers, while special education schools will prepare schedules in accordance with each school’s plan, ensuring that the school day does not commence earlier than that of public schools at different levels.

Similarly, the Ministry of Education unveiled the procedure for implementing flexible school hours for administrative and teaching staff during the holy month.

Al-Hamdan pointed out that kindergarten staff, including those in public and private Arab schools, as well as all levels of special education, will work for 3.5 hours per day. Elementary school staff in public, private Arab schools, and religious education will work for four hours. Middle and high school staff in public, private Arab schools, and religious education will work for 4.5 hours per day, including a 30-minute grace period within their working hours.

She underscored the importance for school administration to adhere strictly to the designated school hours in line with established rules and regulations. She further emphasized that leave and absence cases would be managed in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. Additionally, she clarified that all instances of reduced working hours during Ramadan are cancelled, except for those authorized by the Public Authority for Disability Affairs.