After two-and-a-half-months enjoying cooler climes and exam free days, hundreds of thousands of pupils returned to class on Sunday as the school year got under way.
The country's leaders were among those to mix among students, visiting classrooms and welcoming teachers back after the summer holidays.
The back-to-school buzz reached excitement on Sunday as the country’s leaders joined pupils for the annual end of summer ritual.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, toured a number of Dubai-based schools, including Al Maktoum Primary School for Boys and the Jumeirah Model Girls School.
In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited Hamdan Bin Zayed School – the country’s first trilingual public school where children can study in English, Arabic and Mandarin. Led by principal Fatima Al Bastaki and officials from the Abu Dhabi Education Council, Sheikh Mohammed visited classrooms and met with pupils and staff to get a first-hand look of the pioneering school in action.
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Back to school:
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed 'go back to school'
UAE leaders congratulate pupils on return to school
Return of school run brings congestion across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi
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Recently, the Ministry of Education announced that 10 of the public schools it operates in Dubai and the Northern Emirates would also offer Mandarin as a language of instruction.
The new language class was one of a number of reforms the Government made to the public school system this academic year. The most transformative of these was the merger of the Adec public school curriculum that was followed by state schools in the capital region with the MoE curriculum, which was taught to government schools in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
The unified curriculum, called the Emirati School Model, ensures that no child is left behind when it comes to bilingual education. Children across the country will now be taught maths and sciences in English.
“I’m really happy they have done this because what happens is there is a lot of kids who come from the other cities like Fujairah and Sharjah and it’s completely different, there is a huge gap between our curriculum and theirs,” said Mariam Al Zaabi, a public school parent and teacher in the capital. “In Abu Dhabi, we study maths and science in English, but for them they studied in Arabic. The business and economy in this country is all in English.”
Ms Al Zaabi, a maths teacher, said the news of the new curriculum was welcomed, but caught her by surprise. She had prepared her lessons for this academic year months ago.
“I was planning on having everything ready and then with a blink everything was shutting down,” Ms Al Zaabi said. “But it’s OK, I can accept it, I am trying to be optimistic. This is life. Inshallah, it will be better, I hope.
From what she had seen of the new curriculum, the maths standards in elementary school had been raised to focus less on shapes and patterns and more on formulas.
“That is better,” said Ms Al Zaabi. “I don’t care if she knows the square and the circle, what I care about is addition and subtraction and multiplication because this is what they need in their life.”
Public school Principal Fatima Al Zaabi said she welcomed the new curriculum, but said teachers and staff need more training.
“Now they are merged and we are one. It is good, really, because everything will be clear and it will be easier for the parents to understand,” said Ms Al Zaabi. “We need some more training because it is new. Even for the technology and computer labs, there is a lot of programming for them and they didn’t know about it, so they need training. Also for the moral education also, it is new, they need training.”
But as hallways filled with giddy students, the challenges of the new academic year was far from everyone’s minds, teachers and principals said.
“Today was a huge success with returning families as well as new coming back to BSAK after a wonderful summer,” said Mark Leppard, headmaster of one of the country’s oldest private schools, the British School Al Khubairat.
“There was a real buzz in the air with students meeting their new teachers as well as getting their new timetables. A series of assemblies throughout the day allowed students to set their goals for the year ahead and they were all encouraged to continue to aim high and exceed expectations. We had most of our students back in school today ready for the exciting year ahead.”
At GEMS Wellington Primary School in Dubai, returning pupils were pleasantly surprised to find their school had undergone a summer facelift. Although the school opened last week, the first assembly was Sunday.
“It was like children seeing a birthday present – their eyes peeling open at the wonder and the awe of seeing their school open again,” said Stephen Chynoweth, principal. “To hear the corridor – the chorus of children’s voices – to hear that chatter, that murmur, that life blood of our school, the children and the families back in, it was magical.”
Nura Arabi, physical education and health teacher, said teachers had been busy ensuring everything would be just right for the students’ return.
“You have to make sure everything is set, everything is ready for the students, there is nothing missing for them, making sure that all the documents and all the planning is there,” said Ms Arabi. “It was great to see the students again. I haven’t seen them for the whole summer, so for me as a teacher it’s always nice to see my students again.”
Ms Arabi praised the government’s decision to clamp down on private schools to raise standards.
“It is good for the students. It is a lot more work for the teachers, of course, but it is good for the school overall,” said Ms Arabi.
Bassam Abushakra, regional director for private school operator Esol Education, said principals at the three schools in the UAE “all have had a smooth day".
“Attendance is above 90 per cent at the three schools, which is good and as expected. By next week we should be higher,” said Mr Abushakra.
“Students are always very happy to be back at school with their friends and teachers after a long summer break, and this is no different this year, so the atmosphere has been quite electric.”
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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.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
PRIMERA LIGA FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Atletico Madrid v Sevilla (3pm)
Alaves v Real Madrid (6.15pm)
Malaga v Athletic Bilbao (8.30pm)
Girona v Barcelona (10.45pm)
Sunday
Espanyol v Deportivo la Coruna (2pm)
Getafe v Villarreal (6.15pm)
Eibar v Celta Vigo (8.30pm)
Las Palmas v Leganes (8.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Valencia (10.45pm)
Monday
Real Betis v Levante (11.pm)
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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SPEC%20SHEET
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THE%20SPECS
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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BANGLADESH SQUAD
Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vice captain), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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