A cheerful sign at the entrance to Dubai British School. Staff are preparing to welcome pupils back in late August. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
A cheerful sign at the entrance to Dubai British School. Staff are preparing to welcome pupils back in late August. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Partitions can be used to separate pupils in classes
Partitions can be used to separate pupils in classes
Pupils in schools across the country will wear masks throughout the day to prevent the spread of germs
Pupils in schools across the country will wear masks throughout the day to prevent the spread of germs
Schools are working on separate entrances and exits to reduce crowds of pupils
Schools are working on separate entrances and exits to reduce crowds of pupils
Desks are clearly spread apart and numbers are limited
Desks are clearly spread apart and numbers are limited
Staff installed about 130 hand sanitiser units at Dubai British School
Staff installed about 130 hand sanitiser units at Dubai British School
Similar to in malls, markers are used to ensure pupils are spread out if in queues
Similar to in malls, markers are used to ensure pupils are spread out if in queues
Tables in the school canteen are spread out and have just two chairs on each
Tables in the school canteen are spread out and have just two chairs on each
The school day will look a little different than before but will allow for face to face lessons for the first time in months
The school day will look a little different than before but will allow for face to face lessons for the first time in months
Pupils leave their bags in cupboards as part of efforts to stop germs from being spread around the school
Pupils leave their bags in cupboards as part of efforts to stop germs from being spread around the school
The entrance to the auditorium at the Dubai British School. Pawan Singh / The National
The entrance to the auditorium at the Dubai British School. Pawan Singh / The National
Outside view of the Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Outside view of the Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Education

Parents in UAE can pick in-person classes or distance learning during first school term

Ministry of Education says move aims to protect health of staff and pupils before reopening

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi
UAE

August 16, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Pupils can continue with online learning for the first term of school, education chiefs confirmed on Sunday.

As schools gear up to reopen on August 30, parents of pupils at all private and public institutions can pick in-person classes or continue with remote learning.

The Ministry of Education said the move aims to safeguard the health of staff and pupils.

Private education regulators in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi had earlier confirmed that pupils at private facilities would have a distance learning option.

"Parents have been allowed to freely choose between their children's mode of attendance, face to face at school or through distance learning, for the first term, to achieve stability within the school community and to ensure the safety of our students, while meeting the requirements of physical distancing," the ministry said.

The Ministry of Education has prepared a comprehensive plan to reopen schools. Reuters
The Ministry of Education has prepared a comprehensive plan to reopen schools. Reuters

About 1,099,331 children at 1,262 private and public schools across the UAE will start the new academic year on August 30.

And education chiefs have developed comprehensive plans for a gradual return of pupils to UAE's schools.

They have been closed since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Also on Sunday, Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) announced that pupils at Abu Dhabi's private schools will have a staggered return.

Read More

Coronavirus: UAE schools give a glimpse of what back to class will look like

Ministry of Education introduces uniform for senior pupils in government schools

Only those in kindergarten or foundation stage two to year six will return to school for in-person classes on August 30.

Children in year seven and above will start face-to-face classes four weeks later.

It was just one of several regulations announced by Adek regarding the safe return of pupils to classrooms in Abu Dhabi. Adek also stipulated that pupils over the age of 12, teaching staff and employees must undergo Covid-19 tests; classroom sizes are restricted to 15, while pupils must maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres.

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
While you're here...
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

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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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