Qatar Announces Revised School Hours for Government Schools Amid Rising Temperatures

Doha: Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced revised school hours for government institutions, set to take effect from Sunday, May 3, until June 3.

Under the temporary schedule, the school day will begin at 07:00 across all levels. Dismissal times will vary by stage: kindergartens will end at 12:00, primary schools at 12:30, and preparatory and secondary schools at 12:45 on most days of the week.

In a statement, the ministry said the adjustment is designed better to align the school day with seasonal weather conditions, as temperatures rise across the country. It added that the change will not affect the number of teaching periods, ensuring that academic requirements remain unchanged.

Administrative and teaching staff will follow a slightly extended schedule, working from 07:00 until 13:15 to maintain the smooth running of schools and continuity of learning.

The revised timetable comes as students prepare for end-of-term examinations, which are scheduled to begin on June 4, according to the official academic calendar for the 2025–2026 school year.

Authorities said the measure forms part of broader efforts to safeguard student wellbeing while maintaining educational standards during the hotter months.