UAE schools plan for Ramadan to ease student stress
Schools adjust curriculum to ease new learning during students' fasting periods
As the eagerly awaited holy month of Ramadan approaches in the United Arab Emirates, educational institutions across the region are taking proactive measures to adjust their curriculum planning and assessment strategies. With Ramadan expected to commence on March 12, schools are deeply mindful of the profound spiritual significance attached to this period, understanding that the exact commencement dates may vary depending on the sighting of the moon.
The recent guidelines issued by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) stipulate that school timings in Dubai during Ramadan should not surpass five hours of instruction time. Consequently, educational establishments are meticulously orchestrating lesson plans and executing summative assessments this week to synchronize with the impending month of fasting and spiritual reflection.
Teachers are fervently adapting curriculum planning methodologies to alleviate the academic burden on students throughout their fasting period. This proactive stance entails the deliberate mapping out of lesson plans aimed at diminishing the focus on novel and critical learning objectives. The overarching objective is to nurture an educational environment that reveres the cultural and religious values intrinsic to the community.
A tailored timetable is implemented during Ramadan to mitigate stress among pupils, with exceptions made for Physical Education, Dance, and Music classes. This adaptive framework, as espoused by educational leaders, guarantees flexibility within the schedule, thereby empowering students to effectively manage their spiritual and cultural obligations.
In Indian-curriculum schools, the fortuitous alignment of the academic calendar with Ramadan this year affords students the opportunity to harmonize their academic pursuits with their spiritual and cultural observances. Principals underscore the significance of the end-of-session break, emphasizing its role in providing students with additional time for introspection and relaxation, as well as facilitating collaborative planning sessions where meticulously coordinated curriculum maps and lesson plans are shared with parents and students.
Sangita Chima, Principal of Amity School Dubai, underscores the seamless transition into Ramadan, facilitated by the pre-planned accomplishment of curricular objectives and summative assessments. The institution methodically adjusts the pace of the curriculum in accordance with the Islamic Lunar Calendar, ensuring that all academic benchmarks and standards are met prior to the onset of Ramadan.
Collaborative planning extends to co-curricular experiences, meticulously tailored to align with the sanctity of the holy month and foster active student engagement. Principals highlight the annual review of the curriculum, aimed at accommodating Ramadan timings and ensuring continuity in educational delivery. Teachers engage in meticulous backward planning, identifying potential curriculum impacts during Ramadan and effecting necessary adjustments to long-term and medium-term plans.
Concerted efforts are undertaken to safeguard against any curriculum omissions, with less critical topics being designated as independent learning assignments following careful consideration. This rigorous approach underscores a steadfast commitment to providing a nurturing and adaptable educational milieu for students during the revered month of Ramadan.
