CAIRO: The Ministry of Education's decision to start the school year on Sept. 20 as usual, coinciding with the last 10 days of Ramadan, has left students frustrated. Many expected the ministry to postpone the start of the school year to October, after Ramadan and Eid vacation. Last year, Ramadan and the school year started in the same week amid concerns of unprecedented traffic jams and financially overburdened families. "The Ministry of Education in Egypt [first] said that schools will start on Oct. 2 but afterwards they went back on their word saying that it would start on Sept. 20, said Ahmed, a member of a Facebook group dedicated to protesting the start of the school year during Ramadan. Throughout the summer, government official, the ministry and the media debated the possibility of postponing the school year. But the discussion ended with the ministry deciding to commence classes as usual. Ministry officials explained that work doesn't conflict with the spirit of Ramadan and any postponement would shorten the fall semester or have unwanted effect on the overall schedule of the school year. As a result, a large numbers of students have formed groups on popular networking sites such as Facebook to voice their frustration, some even calling for a two-week boycott of school. Ahmed El-Dib is the creator of "No Schools in Ramadan on Facebook, a group with over 1,200 members. He feels that the time spent in school during this month would not make a difference. "I want to stay home during Ramadan. I don't think those 10 days will really affect how we do in school, so why can't they let us stay home? Youssef, a member, said "I love school and learning. I just don't want to do it during Ramadan; I wish others would appreciate that. Many students feel that school during September is hard enough without the extra obligation of fasting. "It's too hot to go to school now and even if students go to school they won't be able to concentrate because they are fasting. El-Dib said. Judging by the numbers participating in similar internet groups and forums, it seems that a significant amount of students are set on skipping the first two weeks of classes. Many members of these groups have already stated that they will join together in staying home during this time. "We will not go no matter what; they don't own us, Reem, a member, commented. "I was relieved when I knew Ramadan was coming in the holiday months, but I can't believe they're making us go to school anyway, she added. But such support that characterized many internet groups isn't reason for optimism for El Dib. "To be honest with you, I know this group won't do much. And that doesn't really matter to me since it's just a way of expressing ourselves and letting others know how we feel, he said.
