Job Discussion Forums

[lrnoue]

Hey

Ok, so Ramadan begins August 20 at dusk and continues until September 19. When is the first day of classes for most post-secondary institutions? Or, put another way, when do you guys go back to work?

[millie18]

Texas A&M first day of classes is August 31

CNA-Q August 30th

Most North American institutions are following the "regular" schedule - not sure about QU. Ramadan happens every year and is predictable (give or take a day or two). There was some discussion about students not being back in time to meet these schedules because of family obligations - however, the admins/boards for these schools take the view that the students can't afford to miss the time.

[karachi]

It's completely pointless to have any classes during Ramadan. How can students learn anything when they've been up all night and are hungry all day? The best time to begin is after the Eid holiday break which finishes on Saturday 26 September.

[helenl]

I don't disagree with that perspective. However, if these students are to compete globally (and just the business circumstances on the ground in the GCC would dictate that many of them will be employed with either international organizations or have to deal with international organizations during the course of business) they will have to work through Ramadan at some point.

Some educational institutions reduce the class timings in order to help students adjust - I've always felt that we should start earlier, finish earlier and let them go home and sleep until iftar - the way things are done usually they get 1 or 2 hours sleep at the beginning and end of the day and then stay up all night (which is not the point of Ramadan but has become the norm).

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, that the first week is really pretty hopeless until they get into their new routine and time schedule. You just have to lower your expectations and do a few lesson plan tweaks... I agree with Helen... get them into the idea that they are not children anymore and will have responsibilities during the month of Ramadhan even if they will be working for the family company.

VS

[Dorry]

Hi Irnoue,

QU posts its calendar on its website - a year ahead - so you can see when classes start finish etc. This is the URL:

http://www.qu.edu.qa/students/documents/calendar/en_calendar_08_09.pdf

I was told that by someone at QU that Ramadan starts on August 22 this year (already in QU diary), so by the time you start teaching the students are already over their headaches. Maybe some of them will even be getting more than 3 hours sleep a night - but wouldn't count on it...

In QU Foundation English, they now take attendance in Week 1, but there are still lots of students who think they'll show once during that week, which makes setting up the semester quite difficult. Classes will be fully 'on' from Week 2, but on a reduced Ramadan timetable.

At QU during Ramadan, there is no allowance made for non-Muslims to eat, drink or smoke during the day, unlike in the Emirates, for example. As one teacher said, "This is what my life has been reduced to: Squatting in the bathroom trying to eat a granola bar and drink water silently."

Prior to 'going back to work' as you put it, you'll be driven around from place to place getting residency stuff together, you'll do induction meetings, and level meetings and committee meetings. The induction is rubbish. You won't know what's going on. And you'll come into conflict following the given rules with what most teachers are doing (following the unwritten rules). It's a tough place to be new. But ask for help. Most teachers there are generous.

Good luck!

[veiledsentiments]

QU? As I understand from Irnoue's posts, it is off to Saudi. As I recall, an application to CNAQ had been made.

VS