Dubai Education Regulator Sets Five Hour Ramadan School Day

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority issued Ramadan timetable rules for private schools in Dubai, setting a maximum school day of five hours and excusing students who are fasting from physical education classes during the holy month. The authority said the adjusted schedule is designed to respect the nature of Ramadan while maintaining continuity in learning and easing the burden on students and teachers. The guidance applies to all private schools in the emirate and outlines expectations for teaching and student welfare throughout Ramadan, with the shorter day intended to align school operations with the religious and social rhythms of the month while keeping core learning in place. Under the rules, students who are fasting should be exempt from participating in physical education on health and safety grounds, and schools are expected to provide suitable alternative learning activities where needed. On Fridays, private schools must end the school day early to allow students and staff to attend Friday prayers. These provisions sit alongside the overall cap of five hours for the school day, which the authority framed as part of a broader Ramadan timetable that balances classroom instruction with the needs of fasting students and the wider school community during the month. The authority also urged private schools to take parents’ opinions into account when setting daily start and finish times, with the aim of strengthening school–family partnership and supporting flexible learning arrangements during Ramadan. It said the measures are intended to ensure a supportive educational environment that reflects the social, health and religious considerations observed in the United Arab Emirates during the holy month. Schools have been directed to implement the updated timetable across their operations for the duration of Ramadan, with the five hour limit, physical education exemptions for fasting students and Friday adjustments forming the core requirements.