Private schools and universities in the UAE will host online and drive-through graduation ceremonies to give learners the opportunity to celebrate their achievements.
Education leaders said it was a necessary step to ensure the safety of the Class of 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is the second year that schools and universities have decided to get creative to honour pupils and students.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai said schools were not permitted to hold in-person ceremonies on campus.
This year, we are positive that by November students will be able to enjoy an in-person graduation
"Maintaining health and safety is everyone's responsibility," the education regulator.
“Protocols aimed at protecting students and staff include limiting gatherings and suspending or putting group activities online, such as school celebrations, and sports events."
Pali Nahal, acting vice principal at Uptown International School in Dubai, said efforts were being made to ensure pupils could enjoy their graduation at the same time - even at a distance from their own homes.
Footage would be recorded in advance – and in line with social distancing – to help replicate the graduation ceremony as closely as possible.
"We have been informed that in-person graduations cannot go ahead this year," she said.
“Instead, we are pre-recording all footage in school while adhering to safety protocols and will be livestreaming the event on June 5."
On the day, 56 Year 12 pupils will watch the event from their homes.
Schools will not be able to hold in-person graduation ceremonies even if pupils are vaccinated.
Greenfield International School employed a videographer to compile footage for a virtual graduation ceremony to be sent to pupils on May 27.
Families could sit together to watch the video ceremony which will include speeches, presentations and individual clips of pupils dressed in gowns and caps receiving their high school diplomas.
Ceremonies move online in Sharjah
Private schools in Sharjah are not permitted to organise in-person events.
This includes graduation ceremonies, which must be held virtually, Sharjah Private Education Authority confirmed.
"This is to preserve the health and safety of pupils and staff and is in line with the guidelines booklet issued regarding the precautionary measures put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19," the regulator said.
Gems Millenium School Sharjah held an in-person graduation in April, weeks before the ruling.
Teresa Varman, principal at Gems Millennium School Sharjah, said 108 pupils attended graduation ceremonies in four batches.
Final-year pupils attended the on-campus graduation ceremony, which included farewell speeches.
"We held a graduation ceremony because most of them had taken the vaccine," said Ms Varman.
Pupils who had not been vaccinated were required to go for Covid-19 tests to attend the event.
Close to 60 per cent of the pupils had already been vaccinated.
Pupils had the chance to don their graduation gowns and mark the end of their school life.
"The ceremony was symbolic rather than celebratory. There was no food, partying or music. It was about giving our pupils blessings and handing them their scrolls," she said.
Ms Varman said graduations were important as they marked the end of a 14-year-journey through school.
Rishikesh Padegaonkar, principal of Bright Riders School in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, said Grade 12 pupils would most likely have a virtual graduation in June.
University chief hopeful of in-person graduation this year
Ajman University organised a dazzling drive-through ceremony in February in which 1,530 students saw each other off in style.
Students donned their gowns and hats and families piled into cars where they waited for their name to be called and degrees awarded.
In June, Ajman University will be holding a drive-through graduation for the second year.
Amity University in Dubai is confident of hosting an in-person graduation later this year, thanks to its vast campus which would allow for social distancing.
"This year, we are positive that by November students will be able to enjoy an in-person graduation in the presence of their professors, family and friends," said Dr Vajahat Hussain, chief executive of Amity Education Middle East.
“Our 700,000 square foot campus is spacious enough to make this happen.
"It has been a tough year for students around the world, and celebrating this milestone is more important than ever before.”
Zayed University is weighing the options for graduation this year, but graduands will be informed on the celebratory process ahead of time.
Canadian University in Dubai displayed photos of its graduating class on the Burj Khalifa last year.
The university is yet to announce how it will be marking graduation day this year.
Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)
Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City
Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Company%C2%A0profile
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Oppenheimer
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
