UAE pupils are returning to radically changed exam halls this month for the first in-person tests since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
International Baccalaureate tests are the first to take place since schools closed in March.
Pupils must wear masks, while invigilators will use gloves when touching exam papers.
Across the UAE’s IB schools, classes are being reorganised, rooms cordoned off and desks set to ensure physical distancing for the tests, which will run until November 13.
The majority of pupils sit the baccalaureate exams in the UAE in May, but the start of in-person exams marks a cautious return to normality.
We ask [families] to declare whether their child has displayed any symptoms of Covid-19 or come into contact with anyone showing symptoms
“Students have been already told of the rooms in which they will sit the exams and the social distancing measures we have in place in school,” said Amy Cooper, assistant principal at Gems Wellington Academy in Silicon Oasis, Dubai, which has four pupils sitting IB exams, in chemistry, biology, IT and psychology.
“We are asking families to declare any family holidays or travel plans over the upcoming long weekend. We will then again contact each family 24 hours before each exam, asking them to declare whether their child has displayed any symptoms of Covid-19 or come into contact with anyone showing symptoms.”
At least 43 schools offer the IB diploma programme in the UAE. It is becoming increasingly popular, with many pupils in the UAE preferring its focus on independent thinking.
Schools in the Emirates hold IB exams in May because the diploma programme has two sessions: May for the northern hemisphere and November for the southern hemisphere. UAE pupils sit for some exams held only in November or repeats.
Some schools prepared for next month’s tests by staging mock trials earlier this month. Greenfield International School in Dubai had 75 pupils get ready this way.
“All the pupils and invigilators had to wear masks and the children were seated almost two metres away from each other,” said Sarah Atienza, the school’s IB diploma co-ordinator.
“We know pupils might feel thirsty as they sit exams with masks on. We have allowed pupils to bring their own water bottles although food and drink are not allowed in exam halls.”
Only 15 children were in each class at a time and a block of the school building was cordoned so other pupils could not enter.
The safety guidelines from IB include maintaining social distance and ensuring pupils wear masks.
Edwin Humpel, a 17-year-old South African pupil at Greenfield, will sit his exam in Afrikaans in November, while the rest will be held in May. “We had mock exams that took place with safety measures in place and this helped me feel more comfortable about my upcoming exams,” he said.
Pupils were awarded grades on the basis of predicted scores and coursework in May but Edwin was looking forward to taking the test.
“I wanted to write my exams because these give an opportunity to show what you are capable of,” he said.
It is a similar story at Gems Wellington International School.
“We are pleased to be following the guidelines set by Dubai Health Authority and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority [Dubai’s schools regulator] in order that our students may take the examinations that will allow them to progress to their next stage of education,” said the school’s principal, Maryssa O’Connor.
“These examinations are essential for our pupils as it is an opportunity to express themselves in a form that they were unable to in the May examinations.”
A survey by International Baccalaureate Organisation in September regarding exams in November, found that 73 per cent of schools would be able to administer the exams using local guidelines, while 27 per cent of schools would not.
IB exams are set to finish on November 13.
Separately, it was announced on Wednesday that UAE schools will hold in-person exams next month with Covid-19 safety measures in place.
The Ministry of Education confirmed pupils at government and private schools that follow its curriculum will sit first-semester tests from November 15.
The biog
Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos
Favourite spice: Cumin
Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Mobile phone packages comparison
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Volvo ES90 Specs
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
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Juvenile arthritis
Along with doctors, families and teachers can help pick up cases of arthritis in children.
Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JIA causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks.
Dr Betina Rogalski said "The younger the child the more difficult it into pick up the symptoms. If the child is small, it may just be a bit grumpy or pull its leg a way or not feel like walking,” she said.
According to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in US, the most common symptoms of juvenile arthritis are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness that doesn’t go away. Usually it affects the knees, hands, and feet, and it’s worse in the morning or after a nap.
Limping in the morning because of a stiff knee, excessive clumsiness, having a high fever and skin rash are other symptoms. Children may also have swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body.
Arthritis in children can cause eye inflammation and growth problems and can cause bones and joints to grow unevenly.
In the UK, about 15,000 children and young people are affected by arthritis.
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
SPECS
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
