Parents in Abu Dhabi are happy that in-person teaching at private schools in the capital will be in place for the start of the new academic year.
Most pupils in the capital went back to the classroom in February after nearly a year of remote learning because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Approval from Abu Dhabi's Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee on Thursday confirmed that face-to-face lessons would continue for the 2021-2022 academic year, which is scheduled to start in late August.
The decision followed consultation with parents, teachers, principals and school operators across Abu Dhabi in May and June this year.
Provisions will remain in place for those who wish to study from home.
Caroline Waddington, 44, said her two children, 10 and 13, who attend the British International School Abu Dhabi, were glad to be back at school for in-person classes.
"It's been wonderful for them to be able to attend school in person for almost the whole of this term and BISAD have done an amazing job keeping all the staff, students and parents safe and well," Ms Waddington said.
“I am very pleased that in-person classes are and will be running because it’s important for the pupils to be with friends and in the school environment for them to receive a rounded education.”
Widespread vaccination proves key
More than 80 per cent of teachers and school staff, including maintenance and security teams, have been vaccinated.
This support for the country's inoculation drive was key to the shift back to in-person learning.
Parents said the current academic year had been disrupted because some schools had to move online for a few days owning to Covid-19 cases, but were glad that children would be able to benefit from on-site education.
“By the end of the second school year of children being mostly on distance learning, there is no doubt that most were falling behind,” said Radwa Allabban, an Egyptian-British mother of three boys, aged between four and 10.
“It’s a difficult choice to make because Covid-19 is likely to be here for much longer, but I am sending my three boys to school next year."
Ms Allabban's oldest son starts secondary school next year and she said the transition would be very difficult to manage if he had stayed on distance learning, despite the school’s efforts.
She said her children were aware of Covid-19 safety rules and were careful.
Majority of parents in favour of back to school plan
Of more than 117,000 parents surveyed across private, public and charter schools, 88 per cent of parents said it would be better for pupils to return to classes in person.
The Parents Survey on Schools Reopening included UAE citizens and residents.
It was conducted by the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) to help inform the decision-making process.
Parents said in-person interaction was crucial for children's mental and emotional well-being.
Last year, some pupils who had chronic health issues were barred from attending school for months as a precaution because they were at greater risk of severe symptoms should they catch Covid-19.
In-school teaching is crucial
Karen Leach, from the UK, said she was “very pleased” that children are to return to school from September.
Her daughter has Crohn's disease, a chronic illness that inflames the bowel and causes abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss.
Her daughter had to study at home for nearly a year during the pandemic before she could resume in-person lessons.
She will be going to sixth form to start her IB diploma in September.
"I am so very, very pleased to have my daughter return to proper schooling. I completed the survey from the Department of Education and Knowledge a couple of weeks ago and stated my preference for them to go back to school," Ms Leach said.
“My daughter is going into Year 12, the first year of her IB diploma, so she needs proper, uninterrupted teaching and learning.
"She's just finished her GCSE course, which has been very disrupted and she may not get the grades I think she would have if she'd been in school properly for the last two years."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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War 2
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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.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Results
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8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
The five pillars of Islam
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
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The five pillars of Islam
