Dubai announces shorter school hours for Ramadan

School students in Dubai will only attend five hours of lessons during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority has announced.

The government body said institutions in Dubai would start classes between 8:00am and 8:30am during the holy month and end at 1:00pm or 1:30pm with shorter breaks during the day, according to What’s On.

Physical education and other classes involving exertion will not be carried out and outdoor activities are prohibited as students may be at risk of dehydration.

The UAE’s Ministry of Education is expected to make a similar announcement for schools across the country.

During Ramadan last year the ministry said male schools would begin lessons at 8:00am and female schools and kindergartens at 9:00am.

Read: UAE announces reduced school hours for Ramadan

Earlier this week, the UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced working hours for the holy month.

Read: UAE authority announces Ramadan work hours

Staff will work from 9:00am to 2:00pm during the Ramadan period.

An official start date for the Ramadan period has yet to be announced but astronomers in Kuwait and Sharjah have said they expect it to begin around the middle of May.

Read: Kuwait astronomer says Ramadan may be later than expected

In March, Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences also said Ramadan would likely fall on May 17 with Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the month, expected on June 15.

Read: Ramadan likely to begin on May 17