school children early wakeup

and once they send their kids to school; they could move to their work....expect the whole family to contribute towards early to bed and early to RISE.....

way to go summer timings

they made us go to school at 7:15 and go home 12:30 and we dont even hav exams.

and UkEngQatar u hav no idea how relieved i am knowing that my parents aren't the only people suffering from this problem. not that i'm glad more people are suffering from it

Alexa, glad you just have one.lol My little one is just like a clock. no matter what day of the week she is up at 5.30am. It is fine for the weekdays but really annoying on the weekends. :)

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HE WHO DARES WINS

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HE WHO DARES WINS

I am scared as the children wakeup early made lot of disturbance in their biological cycle...

Me doesn't suck...O wait until 9am or something???

Everyone is trying to get to work school at the same time

7am sucks and so does 7 PM...

You can't teach experience...

I hate to wake up early. I reach my workplace at 9:00am.

I was often late to school.

I fully support diamond, snowyowl and Bambino on this issue. If the kids get enough sleep around 10 to 11 hours for younger kids they should be alert in the morning.

Those complaining about the time are mostly the ones that deprive their children of getting enough sleep.

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HE WHO DARES WINS

we might go to school at 8 and it will end at 12 for some reason

thanks for those links...my memory was hazy

but yep thats right

and Victor you citing the Protestant Work Ethic....

my my I am surprised.!!!

I'm a teacher teaching young children & I can honestly say the only children who are tired in school are those that go to bed late. The children are very honest when we ask them. Primary aged children should be in bed by 9 at the latest. Many children in my class have an afternoon nap as well. Yes it is air conditioned in the building, but how about break times, lunch hours & outside sports? Children need to run off their energy they can't always be cooped up in the building. Kids adapt to routines very quickly & soon get used to getting up.

u know my 8 yr son wakeup at 4.50 early morning bec. the bus will reach at 5.30. i tried to drop him by car then he was happy but i was suffering bec. i could't reach my office on time. so back to bus. means either you or your child will suffer.

adolescents. Several school districts in the US have adopted later start times for their high schools because of this.

Some related links:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/133246.php

http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/adolescent.html

http://cehd.umn.edu/Pubs/Researchworks/sleep.html

"Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise."

-- Maya Angelou

They have to get up early in the morning with " half sleep "

Childrens must sleep at 8 pm.

There are many aspects to this. Many parents, not only have to drop off their children to school, but also then carry on to work. Therefore, the timings are not just for weather reasons, but also to aid the parents.

QL is serving the community very well, but one suggestion, why dont they start having a open forums so the issues which are disturbing the society or society concern can be taken up broadly and discussed in a healthy way. Just a suggestion, then the issues will come up in the local news paper and not just limited to the QL. Please continue this topic as the children are our future they should not be left alone and bearing the grunt them selves. Always we are pushing them to the school as per the timings did we ever ask any child what he or she is suffering with the timings, curriculum etc...

well i once watched a programme on this about child bio-rythmns and school times

kids who got to wake up later and go to school later did better academically.....although the study groups had the same amount of sleep hours

the study was brought about .... because some schools do two shifts and the later shift always seemed to do better

I don't see what the problem is. They start early and finish early because of weather conditions. The answer is to put them to bed early so they get enough sleep.

I'm still in the UK, my daughter starts school at 9am and finishes at 3.30, but even with these times, I still like her to be in bed for 7.30. If she's any later she gets tired and cranky the following day. I was thinking that perhaps I may even have to get her in bed earlier when I get over to Qatar.

Well, it is really nice to have a shorter work day, etc because it allows one more time to focus on spiritual matters and thus gain much from the month. But then again, there's always those who will use the time to slack off too. Although I am self-employed I also work shorter hours in Ramadan but spend more time in prayer and reading, etc.

I don't know many people who stay up all night and sleep all day. There is no point to that. I'm sure some do though. I would say most don't.

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because honestly the vast majority of the ones I had occasion to know (because I was teaching their kids) were (IMHO) quite unstructured in the way they approached putting kids to bed, having a regular routine, etc.

I WISH life went on as normal here during Ramadan...it's one of my biggest pet peeves about the Gulf (or maybe it's just Qatar). But when Ramadan comes, suddenly it's license to wake up later, be less productive, go home earlier, sleep until sunset then stay up all night -- at least for a lot of folks that's how it seems. Granted not everyone behaves this way...but there are so many accommodations that seem to be expected and par for the course during that month that it makes me question how people can see it as much of a sacrifice.

"Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise."

-- Maya Angelou

We must know different locals Ummjake as most I know (lots, obviously!) have their kids in bed at a reasonable time. I think schools should continue to operate in Ramadan. Our schedule doesn't really change much during this month. Staying up late and eating into the night rather negates to point of fasting IMHO. We actually sleep less (gget up earlier for suhoor) and eat less (can't eat much if you've fasted all day) in Ramadan and carry on as normal during the day as much as we can and set aside more time for spiritual endeavours. At weekends we shake loose a bit more and join family and friends for get togethers but in the week it's business as usual.

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what's happening now as far as I know (I know the govt dictates to govt. schools, but I thought private schools were permitted to make their own decisions in this regard). If parents aren't happy with the timings or calendar, then they should organize and complain, and if enough folks are bothered, the schools will listen.

I send my kid to ASD, which starts and finishes later than most (8-3), and next year classes will start same as they always do, in late August (not in late September, to accommodate a hotter than normal Ramadan, as every other school in town is doing). ASD doesn't shorten the school day for Ramadan or stop serving lunch (fasting students can go to a private room away from those who are eating); life goes on normally.

I can guarantee you that there are ASD parents out there who hate the late start and end times, or who wish the day would be shortened during Ramadan, or who want the longer summer vacation this year. But guess what? The main constituency ASD serves is the American community -- and the current timings and calendar serve that population well. When that changes, you can bet there will be an outcry from parents about the need for something different, and the school will respond.

The traffic and why it takes so long for kids to get bused to school is another issue -- one that points toward the desperate need for better infrastructure in Doha (more and better roads, a subway system, more public buses) to accommodate the city's rapidly growing population.

One thing the government could do that might alleviate this ginormous problem would be to require busing to schools -- get all those private cars off the road and make all schools, public and private, bus ALL the students to and from classes each day. That would easily drop rush hour traffic on the roads by half.

Kudos to you Diamond, because I have to say (as a former teacher of young kids) not many locals here see the merit in having a regular, early bedtime for their young kids. But children truly do function better in school when that happens. Weekends they can stay up late and play with cousins and watch tv until 11, but during the school week it is imperative that they have a routine schedule that their body follows so that they're rested and ready to learn each morning.

Ramadan here is killer for this, so in many ways, it's probably better that most schools here (that serve a preponderance of Muslim students) will be delayed this coming year and not start until after Eid. Teachers would basically have to make up that entire month of work anyway because kids would be coming to school tired, hungry, unfocused and unable to work.

"Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise."

-- Maya Angelou

schools are confusing. some follow the system of everything is done at school. in which case, kids have to stay till 4 or 5 PM. Others dump school works to be done at home and the poor kids end up spending long hours at home studying.

The formula is simple. Usually class hours at school are about 6 hours net. Which should not require more than 2 to 3 study hours. Total is 9 hours.

Add 8 hours for sleeping

Add 2 hours for transport

Total = 19 hours.

Which leaves some 5 hours free time. Which is fair.

I know some kids who hae to study some 6 hours at home. THis is completely crazy and nonsense. ===================================== http://www.qatarliving.com/node/58409

Yes Kellysheroes, I don't really agree with homework except when the childrena re at the end of high school. Having to do hours of homework every night tells me there's something wrong with the school's methodology.

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We should not feel guilty if the kids have to wake up early. We should feel guilty if we let them stay up late. Have the kids sleep early and they will naturally wake up early.

BTW. I am not worried about the timings. What worries me more is the tonz of books they have to carry to/from school. sometime the books weigh more the kids themselves.

===================================== http://www.qatarliving.com/node/58409

great discipline then :D

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if u think about it the timings u agree to are actually quit close to military timing except for the half hour difference from 5 to 5:30

diamond...I'm with you even though I sooo aint a morning person. My kids have adapted well to the routine being up at 5.30 then I'm off to work at a school and I too enjoy the quiet at night. This is the way its done here so we live with it :)

smile lots laugh more

Parents come here to work and most have a fixed time, i.e. 07:00 which they cannot change. So when both are working how can they leave their kids at home to get ready to catch the bus

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I mean the 'Winter school timings' are the same - it starts at the usual 7 A.M.

Mom_me, The stupid DST idea....

You have an hour that repeats once a year,

and an hour that doesn't exist once a year.

And you just keep adjusting your clocks twice a year.

No Thanks.

Considering the fact that the timings in winter don't change and it starts getting cold in and around August end, the timings are a bit harsh for young children.

Ah, Bleu, shlonik? Well, there IS an an answer to that lol.

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diamond,

If you analyze the responses, you'll find it's the usual:

"What they do here is WRONG, They should do it like they do in MY COUNTRY"

Lol, seems like I am in the minority by liking the early start. And I don't do nannies...my young children are quite good at getting up and ready in the morning...I get up first and swim for half an hour then check the markets before we have breakfast together. I like to ride with the children to school and take them in to their teacher. I get back home, go to my office and start work by 7.30.

We have afternoons together after they get home around 12.30pm and then I have my evenings to myself as they go to bed by 7.30.

Seems to work well for us.

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schooling time for Chowaifet school for KG1 is from 7am till 2 pm!!! 7 full hours... for a 4 yrs old kid!

which means that he has to wake up at 5.30, and that he will come back from school at 2.45 pm... full 9.5 hours dedicated only to schooling.. for a KG1

Is any school reading these comments, Please god sake NHRC please take initiative and do something for the better future of the world.

You can't teach experience...

Don't be foolish dottymum. Ofcourse I am a student. Everybody is a student until he/she dies.

The more you know, the more you realise that you know nothing.

-Socrates

Been there done that...

You can't teach experience...

You can't teach experience...

The problem if they opt out of junior school is that they would be unable to join their peers in middle school. They wouldnt be educated to a standard to cope with school.

That really was a stupid comment no doubt posted by a student!!!!!!! LOL

The problem if they opt out of junior school is that they would be unable to join their peers in middle school. They wouldnt be educated to a standard to cope with school.

That really was a stupid comment no doubt posted by a student!!!!!!! LOL

Kids have to experience the whole school thing, peers, discipline, routine etc. Too late when they reach middle school.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

Whats the problem if they opt out of junior school. They can join the middle school directly.

Sorry mate, but MOST if not ALL WOULD OPT OUT.

This is about school times not if kids should be educated.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

Schools should be made optional. The child should decide whether he wants to go to a school or not. And if he wants to go he should be able to choose his time and the subjects he want to study.

This should be the norm at least for the junior school.

good point. However, we bring our children up.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

In many countries in the West schools start much later than here. In the UK schools start at 8.55am and end at 3.20pm/3.45pm! There are usually are no buses or drivers to take children to school, no maids/nannies to get the kids up, fed and dressed. The parents manage to get their children to school on time and then get themselves to work on time!!!

You rarely see exhausted children and parents before the school day has started!

Dont see any reason why it cant happen here!

is one of the disciplines taught by school, especially in early age. We've been doing this in our time. Why noticed only now?

When i was a student too in Qatar, I also had to wake up that much early. This problem is mostly face by students going to school on bus.

finally i post that feels with us students i thought that we were being neglected

For once I agree with you, especially as a lot of parents use a driver to take their kids to school.

I once raised this issue with the Head at my kids school, their answer, 'oh no, I am used to getting up this early, I don't want to ruin my routine'. I was thinking as they said it,'oh that's ok as long as you are happy'.

Schools start too early over here. They should change to a later time and I think it could help with the traffic congestion, especially if all the schools got together and staggered their start times.

Or am I dreaming and thinking logic would be scary???

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

I am bit confused why on earth should the school start at 6 or 7 am and end at 2 pm??? is it because its so hot during day time?????. well i understand at 2 pm when kids get our of school is hotter ever. so why not start at 8 or 8:30 and leave at 3pm.. whats the big deal. the logic behind this is totally illogical and doesn't make sense, i would appreciate if someone could correct me if i am wrong....

have some mercy on these kids and dont ruin the best part of their life!!.....

THIS TIME IS VERY GOOD FOR WORKING PARENTS. WE ARE LEAVING THE HOME AT @6.10 MORNING OUR SON SCHOOD BUS IS COMING DOWN IN OUR COMPOUND AROUND 6.30. IF SCHOOL STARTS WITH 8.00 WE HAVE TO SERCH ANOTHER OPTION TO SENDING THE BOY TO THE SCHOOL. THE WAKING UP IS ONLY THE PROBLEM AFTER WAKE-UP 10-15 MINUTES KIDS ARE OK ESPECIALLY THEY ENTERING TO THE BUS. NO OTHER OPTION WE HAVE TO SUFFER.

I totally agree - it's way too early to start school. My son starts this Fall and I don't know what we're going to do. He's in bed by 7:30pm (or even 7pm) and generally doesn't wake up until 8am or so. . .any earlier means a guaranteed cranky child. Not fun.

I totally agree that schools start way too early here. Yes, it does get very hot, but there is air conditioning in all classrooms.

Most children are woken up far too early, are cranky, tired and im sure are not performing to the best of their ability at school. I have seen many young children arriving home on buses, in cars asleep as they are so tired. It's all very easy to say put them to bed at 7pm but thats not always easy when theyve been asleep on the bus etc.

It would make more sense to have schools starting at 8am/8.30am and ending between 2-3pm as in many other countries. Not only would children perform better at school there would be many better parents as they too would be getting a full nights sleep. Traffic would be less as schools would be starting later.

These are just my thoughts, what does everyone else think???

not good enough!

they can stay up later at the weekends! -------------------------------------

Diamond, the children are being deprived the evenings!

If you get your child to bed on time they will wake up naturally on time. That's what I do with my children. They go to bed at 7.30 and wake up around 5.30. They can wash and dress themselves in the morning and we all sit together for breakfast before leaving for school. I like the fact they finish school by 1 so there's plenty of time for activities in the afternoons. I like evnings child free for grown ups.

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when the temp averages 45 degrees for more than 6 months by 10 a.m what options does the schools have?

The school should start at 8:30am. And finish by 2:00pm.

End.

Oh Man! Tell me abt it! I went thru this torture for 14 yrs and I'm glad I'm in a job that doesn't have any time restrictions now! Well the excuse was afternoons are too hot for kids to handle so the early start since its cooler then.

"Ali Baba and 40 thieves" are now "Ali Baba and 30 thieves" ; 10 were laid off.

I find that starting school at 7 am, horrendous. Children do not need to get up at 5 or 5:30 to catch a bus just to be there at that time. Learning should take precedence and how can a child learn if they are forced to wake at such an ungodly hour just for the convenience of the school?? I would be willing to bet the faculty of the school would prefer to start later as well. Why not take the concern of all the people involved and apply it to make a reasonable compromise??

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the main difference between a dog and man.

-Mark Twain-