UAE students happy to return to school after winter break

Students have mixed reactions towards coming back to school

As most Dubai schools reopened after the winter break, the toughest part one would think would be slipping back into the routine. However, parents as well as children were of different opinions.
Grade 6 student of Our Own Al Warqaa School, Daniel Rakesh, said: "It was not so tough for me, as I enrolled in a winter camp in Sharjah and therefore we would go there early in the morning and get busy. In fact, I am excited about school reopening."
His mother Sara Philip added: "The only difference now is that he has to put on his uniform and go in his school bus. He is worried a little a bit as he did not complete his holiday homework."
Teacher Hiba Abdulla described the first day of school as "back with a bang" as students seemed pretty excited to join back.
"We have a Quality Time period at our school where the kids were enthusiastic about sharing their New Year resolutions. These resolutions tend to be targets set by students themselves which encourages them to be responsible in the learning process."
Talking about the school attendance, Abdulla said: "Although, only two students of my class were absent, I noticed during the morning assembly that quite a few students were absent today."
Parents relieved
Shabeen Yusuf, whose three kids study in Al Diyafah High School, Dubai, was however happy as the schools reopened.
"Kids are back to routine and so am I. Since I go for Islamic classes in the morning, it was tough for me to leave them at home and go. I am happy they are back to school and back in a good routine.
"I put them to bed early as they have to get up early, which is a good habit and also I get some time to myself, otherwise I am always running behind one or the other."
This boy is annoyed
For students like Imaz, Grade 7 student of Millennium School, it was reunion time. Most of his friends had gone for the winter break and he spent his days at home with no one around to play with.
"Except for the holiday homework part, I was all for geared up for school as there is nothing more excited than meeting school friends after vacations," he said.
When majority expressed their joy of returning to school, Grade 7 student Rayyan, was not happy.
He was annoyed as he was unable to join his cousins for an outing to Jebel Jais on Sunday night. "They are all studying in Sharjah and have more holidays than us. This is not fair. I wanted to join them for an outing but mum refused to let me go as we have to go to school tomorrow, while they (Sharjah cousins) have few more holidays left."
- saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai