School hours have been reduced across the UAE for the month of Ramadan.
However, hours vary depending on the emirate and on individual schools within them.
The National explains the rules in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and why the hours differ.
Dubai schools
In Dubai, private schools can hold classes for up to five hours a day, compared to the usual seven.
Schools have been given the flexibility to set when the day should begin and end.
But they have been asked to limit the amount of homework to allow time for prayer.
Our school did a survey asking parents what operating hours they would prefer and the majority went with 9am to 2pm
"Private schools in Dubai can provide a maximum of five hours of instruction during Ramadan," said Mohammed Darwish, chief executive of permits and compliance at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
“We have given schools the flexibility of choosing their start and end time in consultation with their parent community.
“During Ramadan, the whole school community will be spending extra time in prayer with their families," said Mr Darwish.
"We ask schools to be mindful of this with regards to the amount of homework and assignments set for students.
"Every Ramadan, we practice the virtues of patience, togetherness, compassion and inner strength. This year, we will need to draw on these virtues more than ever."
Parents said some schools in the emirate have allowed children to arrive 30 minutes early and leave 30 minutes late, while sticking to the five hours’ teaching time, to help accommodate those who are working.
Abu Dhabi schools
Private schools in Abu Dhabi have also had their hours reduced to a maximum of five.
Each school is expected to "cover the full content of the core subjects during those hours," said the private schools' regulator, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).
Adek said schools cannot start the day before 9.30am and must close by 3.30pm.
Sharjah schools
The Sharjah Private Education Authority said schools should not be open for longer than five hours during Ramadan.
Homework should also be reduced during the month, it said.
Classes should start at 9am and be held for between three and four hours.
What parents in Dubai say about school during Ramadan
Laura Stockwell has her two children at Jumeirah English Speaking School in Dubai.
Her elder child in Year 1 is in class from 9am to 2pm during Ramadan. The younger, in FS1, is in class from 9am to 12pm, one hour less than his usual four-hour day.
“Our school did a survey asking parents what operating hours they would prefer and the majority went with 9am to 2pm,” she said.
“While this is fine for older pupils, the issue is that younger pupils – who already do a shorter day – are now missing out on an hour by starting at 9am instead of 8am. Some parents feel short-changed.
“I think the issue has arisen because there is no consistency between schools and, generally speaking, parents do not enjoy the fact that they perceive one school to have a better solution to another school.”
Clara Cloche, 41, said some pupils were afforded more lesson time than others due to the differing Ramadan schedules across schools.
Her three children attend two different campuses, with Swiss International Scientific School Dubai open from 8.30am to 1.30pm and North London Collegiate School operating from 8am to 12.40pm during Ramadan.
“I would have appreciated some options to help kids catch up on the missed education and knowledge due to lockdowns and quarantines over the past year,” she said.
“I don’t criticise the reduced hours at all, but the fact that all schools are doing different timings seems strange.
“Why should pupils at some schools get up to two hours less of education than others?”
What parents in Abu Dhabi say about school during Ramadan
The situation is similar in Abu Dhabi, where many schools have chosen to operate between 9.30am and 2.30pm for the allotted five hours.
But parents have said some are only opening for four.
“My sons' school has announced reduced Ramadan hours for the second year. The in-school hours in previous years were five per day, reduced to four and a half last year, and now to four hours per day this year. The minimum required by Adek,” wrote one member of Abu Dhabi Q&A Facebook page in a post on the topic.
“Can parents please share their school Ramadan hours if they have been announced please?”
The times were most commonly from around 9.30am to 2.30pm, according to those who commented.
But some were operating for four hours between 9.30am and 1.30pm only.
“I am aware that Adek has advised all schools must start the day at 9.30am. Just couldn't understand why some then finish at 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm or 3pm,” wrote the poster.
“My sons' school always had Ramadan in-school instruction of five hours per day. It's decreasing. I was genuinely interested to find out if other schools are doing the same.”
According to a circular sent to schools in Abu Dhabi, the school day should be four to five hours long, but four hours was preferred.
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
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The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
WITHIN%20SAND
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
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A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
The%20specs
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
