More than 100,000 Sharjah pupils will return to private schools this Sunday for the first time since March.
116 schools across the emirate have revamped their facilities to ensure strict safety measures in place.
Distancing, Covid-19 tests for over-12s and regular sanitisation will make this a year like no other. On Thursday, thousands of pupils attended school, in casual clothes, for a PCR nasal swab test to ensure they are Covid free.
The National spent the day with principals, parents and pupils who have spoken of their hopes and fears ahead of Sunday's big return.
I'm very nervous from this whole Covid thing, but it is nothing that we cannot overcome
"We have nearly 800 pupils: 200 of them are above 12 and have undergone the mandatory testing for Covid-19. Results will be out later on Thursday," said Keith Sykes, principal of Victoria English School in Sharjah.
"A track and trace system was developed to help identify who was in contact with who if any one got infected.
"Over-12s have been put in a bubble in the school to protect them," he said.
All pupils will pass through thermal screening and any children reporting a temperature above 37.5C will be asked to study remotely.
The school has also come up with a novel way of encouraging hand washing, by turning dozens of barrels into colourful sinks and are installed across hallways.
An isolation room, a clinic, distancing stickers and more medical staff are also part of the new school year.
“I'm very nervous from this whole Covid thing," said Inaya Nasir, 13, and in grade 8 who was waiting for her test. "But it is nothing that we cannot overcome."
She did consider studying online given the increased number of cases lately but changed her mind.
“I looked at how the government and my school handled all this very well, and now I’m back and very excited about it.”
Sharmin Syed, a 15-year-old Indian in grade 11, doesn’t care if she won't be shaking hands or hugging her friends, she is just happy they will be together.
She said the test felt very strange. “It was like swallowing chlorine."
Their English teacher, Matthew Keyes, believes the pandemic has made these pupils stronger. “It is a challenge but I’m excited to have my pupils back,” said Mr Keyes.
"I missed interacting with them and pushing them - it is not the same with online learning."
Some schools will implement a rotation system because of capacity constraints. And the founder of the Al Shola School Group - which operates a network of schools in Sharjah - said no stone would be left unturned to ensure a safe environment for pupils.
“It’s a completely different world now and we have had to change our mentality to adapt,” said Ebraheem Baraka.
Mr Baraka said staff will be tested every 15 days for Covid-19 and no classroom would be above 50 per cent capacity.
"We are disinfecting everything, including the classrooms, corridors, bathrooms and school buses."
Parents also spoke of their struggles with remote learning.
Nora Khaled, an Egyptian mother of two, had to sit with her grade 2 daughter from 8am to 2pm every day
"It is essential this particular age group of pupils go to school to learn and see kids their age instead of being stuck with their parents at home all the time," said Ms Khaled.
"I trust authorities are taking all measures possible to keep our children safe in schools."
Jordanian mother Jumana Yousif had to balance work with supervising online learning.
“I head to work at 7am leaving my grade 3 daughter and my son in kindergarten 2, with their father," said Ms Yousif.
The classes' different timings was really helpful - otherwise I couldn't have helped
Her daughter takes online classes in the morning while her son’s classes start at 4pm.
“The classes’ different timings was really helpful - otherwise I couldn’t have helped."
Meanwhile, pupils in other emirates have returned to the classroom but not all schools have brought children back.
Hundreds of pupils in year 10 to 13 in Abu Dhabi are being tested for Covid-19 ahead of their return to school campuses next week.
All other year groups were to return to school in late September or early October as part of a staggered plan. However, authorities said children in grades 6 to 8 (years 7 to 9), between the ages of 11 to 14, will continue with distance learning for the “foreseeable future”.
About 17,000 teachers and staff at Sharjah's private schools were tested for coronavirus before the new term.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
6.30pm: Liwa Oaisi Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
The National selections: 5pm: Flit Al Maury, 5.30pm: Sadah, 6pm: RB Seqondtonone, 6.30pm: RB Money To Burn, 7pm: SS Jalmood, 7.30pm: Dalaalaat
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
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.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
