More private school pupils in Dubai got a good night's sleep and ate breakfast on time in 2020, the emirate’s wellbeing census revealed.
However, it was not all good news. School teachers reported getting less sleep last year and felt they worked longer hours than in 2019.
More than 102,800 pupils from 189 schools participated in the fourth edition of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) wellbeing census.
We're seeing students report better sleeping and eating habits, coupled with higher engagement with their teachers
Of nearly 11,000 teachers polled, 39.5 per cent said they got a good night’s sleep, down from 43.3 per cent in 2019 and 45.2 per cent in 2018.
Nearly 60 per cent of pupils in grades six to nine and 41.5 per cent of students in Grades 10 to 12 said they got a good night’s sleep five days a week in 2020, up from 54.2 per cent and 37.1 per cent respectively in 2019.
The census also revealed that more children said they felt confident in their schoolwork.
Nearly 75 per cent of pupils in grades six to nine said they felt interested in schoolwork, up from 70 per cent in 2019.
When it came to breakfast, the results showed children are prioritising the most important meal of the day.
Around 78 per cent of pupils in grade six to nine ate breakfast on time most days of the week in 2020, compared to 69.7 per cent the previous year.
Pupils also reported high levels of engagement with their teachers, even though they studied online for months.
“After weeks and months of distance and blended learning, we’ve seen how resilient our children are," said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of KHDA.
“The results of this fourth census show that our children are getting better sleep, and building better relationships with their friends and their teachers.
“They’re feeling more confident in their schoolwork and they are optimistic about their future.”
About 70 per cent of pupils in grades six to nine reported having better relationships with their teachers, an increase of 11 percentage points compared to the year before.
While the coronavirus outbreak has led to a year of major upheaval for the education sector, the widespread move to home learning brought an end to early starts and long journeys for pupils who do not live close to their school.
Tens of thousands of pupils and teachers in Dubai voiced their views on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their mental wellbeing in the emirate-wide school census.
"This year has given us a lot of interesting data. We’re seeing students report better sleeping and eating habits, coupled with higher engagement with their teachers,” said Hind Al Mualla, chief of creativity, happiness and innovation at KHDA.
The Adults at School Wellbeing Survey measures the wellbeing of school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants and administrative staff.
Of those polled, 63.1 per cent of teachers, 61.5 per cent of school leaders and 36.8 per cent of administrative staff said they felt they worked longer hours in 2020.
"As adults, we have more responsibilities and pressure in our lives, yet it’s important to remember if we want to thrive, we must look after our wellbeing," said Dr Al Karam.
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
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Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
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The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
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• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
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• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
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Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
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Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
