Back to school UAE: 'Remote learning wasn't as fun as this'

For young pupils who enrolled after the onset of the pandemic, Monday marked a new start

Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National

Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National

A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National

A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National

Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National

Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.

Related: Busy traffic as pupils go back to school

Busy roads in the morning, children in uniforms and parents in a rush — all signs suggested it was the first day of school in the UAE on Monday.

At Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park, nervous but excited pupils entered classrooms after a two-month summer break.

Teachers in the primary and secondary section greeted their pupils enthusiastically as the new academic year began.

Melis Soltay, 9, was eagerly rushing into the school building to begin Year 5.

“I am happy to be in school. It is my second year at this school and I like all my teachers,” she said.

“I like classroom learning. It was not fun in remote learning because I couldn’t see my teachers or friends.”

Many children’s faces lit up when they saw their teachers and friends, thrilled that in-person learning had resumed after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

With a population of about 1,700 pupils, the school also offers the option of distance learning in special cases.

Year 7 pupil Aryan Singh, 12, has been enrolled in the school for six years and prefers classrooms over remote learning.

“Attending school in-person is better because we are fully focused on learning and there are no distractions,” he said.

“Also, we get to socialise more with our friends and teachers. It is not as much fun online.”

Parents dropping off their children at school were also relieved that things “almost felt normal again”.

Namratha Bhandary, parent of Year 1 pupil Vedant, said it was her son’s first time in a classroom, after two years of remote learning.

“He is so excited. He had orientation the other day and got lots of toys and met kids to play with, so he is very happy to be in school,” she said.

“It is his first time in a school after two years of remote learning, but he is not nervous at all. He is very curious and is looking forward to being inside a classroom, where he can engage with teachers and other pupils.”

Vice principal Amy Falhi said that primary and secondary school pupils prefer to be back in classrooms.

“So, everyone is extremely excited that we are all back in the building,” she said.

“Community is a really important part of our school life here. It is also amazing to have parents back in the building.

“Our school canteen and cafe is now open again for parents, which means that we can just have those really important partnerships and connections with them.”