The Ministry of Education has given affiliated private and international schools the authority to shorten class hours and change the time at which the school day begins. This decision came as part of its move to further improve the educational sector and facilitate the functioning of schools.
The Ministry stated that the duration of the class hours should not be less than 35 minutes for elementary and intermediate levels of schools, and 40 minutes for secondary schools.
School authorities can decide to advance by half an hour or delay by one hour
In terms of the start time of the school day, the school authorities can decide to advance by half an hour or delay by one hour from the established standard schedule.
The Ministry’s decision allows these schools to take advantage of the enrichment programs that it has approved, which are in compliance with the daily and weekly class hours that are observed in public schools for each class. Those schools intending to implement changes are to notify the Education Department or the international education offices to which they are affiliated.
It also emphasised the importance of notifying the timing of the school day for the beneficiaries two weeks before the start of the semester or when students register at the start of the new academic year.