Covid-19 cleaning and preparation at Swiss International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Covid-19 cleaning and preparation at Swiss International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Covid-19 cleaning and preparation at Swiss International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Covid-19 cleaning and preparation at Swiss International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE

More than two dozen Dubai schools extend e-learning for another week

At least 28 private schools continue to hold classes remotely

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

January 11, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Some Dubai private schools that had moved to online learning last week resumed face-to-face classes on Monday.

Kent College Dubai welcomed pupils through its doors on January 10 as all grades returned to classrooms for the first time this term.

Pupils at Victory Heights Primary School were also greeted on site by teachers this week after beginning the term with online learning.

At least 28 private schools in the emirate continue to hold classes remotely with some scheduled to return to classrooms on January 17.

Last week, The National reported that more than two dozen schools in Dubai had switched to distance learning for the first few days of the new term due to Covid-19 cases in the community.

Parents, pupils and staff arrive at the Greenfield International School in Dubai Investments Park for the start of a new term after the winter break. Antonie Robertson / The National
Parents, pupils and staff arrive at the Greenfield International School in Dubai Investments Park for the start of a new term after the winter break. Antonie Robertson / The National
January marked the first day of the new term and the start of the four-and-half-day week. Antonie Robertson / The National
January marked the first day of the new term and the start of the four-and-half-day week. Antonie Robertson / The National
Hundreds of schools in Dubai and Sharjah have received the green light to reopen for in-person classes. Antonie Robertson / The National
Hundreds of schools in Dubai and Sharjah have received the green light to reopen for in-person classes. Antonie Robertson / The National
Regulators across the UAE have announced measures to ensure the safety of pupils. Antonie Robertson / The National
Regulators across the UAE have announced measures to ensure the safety of pupils. Antonie Robertson / The National
A sign shows Covid-19 safety rules at Greenfield International School. Antonie Robertson / The National
A sign shows Covid-19 safety rules at Greenfield International School. Antonie Robertson / The National
A school crossing guard controls traffic. Antonie Robertson / The National
A school crossing guard controls traffic. Antonie Robertson / The National
Authorities recently announced that masks were now optional in outdoor areas of school. Antonie Robertson / The National
Authorities recently announced that masks were now optional in outdoor areas of school. Antonie Robertson / The National
A child is dropped off at Greenfield International School. Antonie Robertson / The National
A child is dropped off at Greenfield International School. Antonie Robertson / The National
For those returning from overseas trips, some school management boards have also advised parents to book fit-to-fly PCR tests. Antonie Robertson / The National
For those returning from overseas trips, some school management boards have also advised parents to book fit-to-fly PCR tests. Antonie Robertson / The National
Students arrive at the Jumeira Baccalaureate School in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Students arrive at the Jumeira Baccalaureate School in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Masks must still be worn indoors except for when sat down to eat. Pawan Singh / The National
Masks must still be worn indoors except for when sat down to eat. Pawan Singh / The National
It is expected that face masks will be mandatory in the classroom for the foreseeable future. Pawan Singh / The National
It is expected that face masks will be mandatory in the classroom for the foreseeable future. Pawan Singh / The National
A member of staff at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Pawan Singh / The National
A member of staff at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Pawan Singh / The National
Parents, pupils and staff arrive at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Pawan Singh / The National
Parents, pupils and staff arrive at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Pawan Singh / The National

For some schools, the decision on whether to resume in-person lessons is fluid and reassessed daily. This can mean that some grades begin to go back to the classroom while older children remain learning remotely.

"Gems Education schools in Dubai have received approval from KHDA [Knowledge and Human Development Authority] to extend remote learning as necessary," Elmarie Venter, chief operations officer at Gems Education said.

"However, some of our schools have already begun to welcome back students for face-to-face learning in phases and this will continue over the coming days depending on the individual circumstances at each school."

Seven Gems Education schools had some pupils physically in school on Tuesday. But many more are expected to start welcoming back pupils on Wednesday.

"The current situation is fluid and we will continue to work closely with, and follow the guidance of, the relevant regulators to ensure the health and safety of our school communities, which remains our number one concern.”

For some schools that are resuming in-person lessons the belief is that it enhances the learning environment to be in the classroom.

Anthony Cashin, principal at Kent College Dubai, said: “We are delighted to have reopened our doors this week for full-time, face-to-face learning. As seamless as our online learning provision is, we believe that face-to-face learning is ideal for our pupils.

"In the last week of the holidays, we made the decision to open the new term with five days of online learning, which we communicated with parents.”

The school made a decision to move to remote learning in early January after it received messages from a number of staff and parents informing that they had tested positive with Covid-19, or were close contacts with a positive case.

Due to the high number of cases at the time, the school was unable to cover all staff who were going to be absent.

Gems Education, which operates 28 schools in Dubai, continues to hold classes online at 26 of its campuses.

“Gems Education continues to work very closely with the authorities in the UAE to keep our school communities as safe as possible following the move to distance learning," Ms Venter said.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation and look forward very much to welcoming our students back into the classroom as soon as it is safe to do so."

Sheela Menon, principal for Ambassador School in Dubai, said the school had moved to remote learning for the first week of term and had extended it for another week.

The school sought the extension from the KHDA and expects to resume in-person classes on January 17.

Staff prepare to welcome pupils back to the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Staff prepare to welcome pupils back to the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pupils will return for the new Monday to Friday school week, which includes a half day on Fridays and a Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Pupils will return for the new Monday to Friday school week, which includes a half day on Fridays and a Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Many principals have extended the school day slightly to make up for the noon finish on Fridays.
Many principals have extended the school day slightly to make up for the noon finish on Fridays.
School canteens will remain closed to help to keep pupils in class bubbles.
School canteens will remain closed to help to keep pupils in class bubbles.
Professional cleaners at work in the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai.
Professional cleaners at work in the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai.
Pupils and staff must wear masks at all times and are being asked to sanitise their hands often.
Pupils and staff must wear masks at all times and are being asked to sanitise their hands often.
Professional cleaners at work in the Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai.
Professional cleaners at work in the Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai.

"The number of cases among pupils and families are still high. Pupils are [testing] positive or they are primary contacts, meaning family members have tested positive," Ms Menon said.

She said many families at the school had travelled during the holidays and unlike previous strains of the virus, pupils seem more likely to become infected this time.

"That’s one reason why parents are uncomfortable sending their children to school at this point," she said.

She said private schools in Dubai could move to online learning for a 48-hour-period without any prior approval.

More than 1,300 pupils are enrolled at the school and even when a full return to in-person learning is announced, Ms Menon said it was likely many parents would wait before sending their children back.

Some Dubai schools opened for 100 per cent in-person lessons on January 3, the first day of term, including all schools run by Taaleem.

"We are pleased to report that the vast majority of our Dubai students were able to return to their classrooms to commence studies," said Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem.

"Our schools in Abu Dhabi are presently all online and will continue with their distance-learning programmes until advised that face-to-face, on-campus learning can resume."

The biogs

Name: Zinah Madi

Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and links

Nationality: Syrian

Family: Married, Mother of Tala, 18, Sharif, 14, Kareem, 2

Favourite Quote: “There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything.”

 

Name: Razan Nabulsi

Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and Links

Nationality: Jordanian

Family: Married, Mother of Yahya, 3.5

Favourite Quote: A Chinese proverb that says: “Be not afraid of moving slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

On Women's Day
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

UAE currency
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio

Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)

Engine 4.7L V8

Transmission Six-speed automatic

Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Carzaty%2C%20now%20Kavak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20launched%20in%202018%2C%20Kavak%20in%20the%20GCC%20launched%20in%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20140%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Automotive%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20raised%20%246m%20in%20equity%20and%20%244m%20in%20debt%3B%20Kavak%20plans%20%24130m%20investment%20in%20the%20GCC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Towering concerns
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Whiile you're here
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20(2022)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010.9-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%20IPS%20LCD%2C%202%2C360%20x%201%2C640%2C%20264ppi%2C%20wide%20colour%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20Apple%20Pencil%201%20support%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EChip%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20A14%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%204-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2064GB%2F256GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iPadOS%2016%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012-megapixel%20wide%2C%20f%2F1.8%2C%205x%20digital%2C%20Smart%20HDR%203%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full%20HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20ultra-wide%2C%20f%2F2.4%2C%202x%2C%20Smart%20HDR%203%2C%20Centre%20Stage%3B%20full%20HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Stereo%20speakers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%2C%20smart%20connector%20(for%20folio%2Fkeyboard)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%2010%20hours%20on%20Wi-Fi%3B%20up%20to%209%20hours%20on%20cellular%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinish%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Blue%2C%20pink%2C%20silver%2C%20yellow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iPad%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%2C%2020W%20power%20adapter%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%20%E2%80%94%20Dh1%2C849%20(64GB)%20%2F%20Dh2%2C449%20(256GB)%3B%20cellular%20%E2%80%94%20Dh2%2C449%20(64GB)%20%2F%20Dh3%2C049%20(256GB)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Swansea 2

Grimes 20' (pen), Celina, 29'

Man City 3

Silva 69', Nordfeldt 78' (og), Aguero 88'

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

The%20specs
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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While you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

Updated: January 11, 2022, 12:57 PM`
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