The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning the implementation of a three-day weekend at schools as a policy to boost the productivity, academic performance, and social skills of students. This proposal comes after a comprehensive study by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), which examined the impact of the government’s three-day weekend initiative.
Details of the Study by SPEA
The study was conducted across 127 schools and involved 31,198 families from 70 countries, 7,000 teachers, and administrators. The Chairperson of SPEA, Dr. Muhadithah Al Hashemi, noted that the study revealed significant improvements in the overall performance of students. Specifically, academic achievement rose by 77%, and social skills increased by 78%. Additionally, problem-solving skills improved by 74%, academic performance in assignments went up by 78%, quality time with families increased by 88%, and time management skills grew by 73%.
Implementation of a Three-Day Weekend in Sharjah
The Sharjah Executive Council recently completed a study on the implementation of a three-day weekend in the emirate. The study revealed numerous benefits, prompting the council to adopt the new working structure in public institutions. Government employees have already been enjoying this system, and the impact on their productivity and satisfaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
Effects of Three-Day Weekend on Government Employees
According to a study, job performance and satisfaction of public employees in Sharjah increased by 90% after the implementation of the three-day weekend. Furthermore, overall joy increased by 91%, 87% of employees reported an improvement in their mental health, and 84% felt that the new system provided a better work-life balance. Moreover, 96% enjoyed their weekends more, 70% attended more social events, and 62% had more time for exercise and hobbies.
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The adoption of a three-day weekend in UAE schools is a promising initiative that could have significant benefits for students’ academic and social development. The study by SPEA indicates that such a strategy could lead to significant improvements in students’ academic achievement, social skills, problem-solving skills, and time management skills. The positive outcomes of the system’s implementation in public institutions further reinforce the potential benefits of a three-day weekend. Therefore, it is a proposal worth considering for the UAE education system.
