Jordan sets Ramadan school hours, exempts private schools from start-time rule

• Public schools will start classes at 9am during Ramadan
• Private schools are not legally bound by the government start-time decision

Jordan’s Ministry of Education has finalized administrative and technical arrangements for school hours during the holy month of Ramadan, issuing an official circular regulating working hours and class schedules across all public schools and education directorates.

At the same time, the ministry clarified its legal and administrative position regarding private schools, stressing that parts of the government circular are not binding to them, a decision closely watched by thousands of families.

No mandatory start time for private schools

In a statement to Roya News, Ministry spokesperson Mahmoud Hiyasat said the decision setting school start times, including the provision that the first class in public schools begins at 9am, does not apply obligatorily to private schools.

Hiyasat said the exemption aims to give private school administrations greater flexibility in managing school hours, particularly due to their reliance on school bus systems, specific educational programs, and logistical arrangements that differ from those in public schools, where students often arrive on foot or via public transportation.

He nevertheless urged private schools to take into account the circumstances of students and staff during Ramadan, in a way that eases their burden and allows them to observe religious practices without disrupting the educational process.

Private schools outline Ramadan schedule

The head of the Private Schools Owners Syndicate, Dr. Munther Al-Sourani, confirmed the ministry’s position, noting that private schools have discretion in setting their Ramadan schedules based on their individual circumstances.

He outlined the expected structure of the school day in private schools as follows:

• If additional classes are scheduled, the eighth period will be canceled, with the school day ending no later than 1:50pm.
• Five-minute breaks between classes will be canceled, with one daily break of 10 minutes.
• School bus schedules and routes will be determined by individual school administrations based on their geographic coverage and transportation needs.

Public school schedule during Ramadan

In parallel, the Ministry of Education circulated official Ramadan working hours for public schools, effective from the start of the holy month.

Education directorates will operate from 9am until 2:30pm.

For schools operating on a single shift:

• The first class begins at 9am
• Each class lasts 40 minutes
• One 10-minute break will be observed, with five-minute breaks canceled
• The sixth class ends at 1:10pm, and the seventh at 1:50pm, with the eighth class canceled

For schools operating on two shifts:

• Morning shift begins at 9am
• Afternoon shift begins at 12:50pm
• Each class lasts 35 minutes
• One 10-minute break will be observed, with five-minute breaks canceled
• The sixth class of the afternoon shift ends at 4:30pm

The ministry said the measures aim to ensure the continuity of the educational process while taking into account the special nature of Ramadan, and to provide private schools with sufficient flexibility to manage their logistical needs in the best interests of students and their families.