Abu Dhabi pupils in years 10 to 13 screened for Covid-19 before they return to school on Sunday

Hundreds of children take a free PCR test at various drive-through centres and government facilities in the capital

Parents see off their children off to classes for the first time since March in August 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Naividh Pillai, aged 3, looks a little bewildered as he arrives for his first day at Gems Wellington Academy with sister Alaikha and parents Meera and Deepesh. Antonie Robertson / The National

Gems Wellington Academy in Al Khail opens for the start of the school year. Antonie Robertson/The National

Gems Wellington Academy in Al Khail opens for the start of the school year. Thermal monitors at the entrance scan people for signs of fever or high temperature. Antonie Robertson/The National

Gems Wellington Academy in Al Khail opens for the start of the school year. Antonie Robertson / The National

A pupil wearing a colourful face shield arrives at Horizon International School in Dubai on Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A mother helps her son sanitise his hands as he arrives at Horizon school. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Children arrive for school at Horizon International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Children arrive for school at Horizon International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A pupil gets her temperature checked at the entrance of Al Mizhar American Academy. Shruti Jain for The National

Pupils return to Al Mizhar American Academy in Dubai. Shruti Jain for The National

A staff member assists a pupil as Al Mizhar American Academy. Shruti Jain for The National

Tarryn Patel, a homeroom teacher from South Africa, attends to her grade 1 pupil at Al Mizhar American Academy. Shruti Jain for The National

Pupils are spaced apart at the cafetaria at Al Mizhar American Academy. Shruti Jain for The National

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.

Free PCR swab tests are being carried out at various drive-through centres and government facilities in the capital.

The testing operation began on Wednesday and will run until Thursday, authorities said.

All pupils in grades 9 to 12 (years 10 to 13) who have opted for in-person classes will need to be tested.

The testing schedule ensures all children aged 12 and above will receive their results before they enter the campus.

A negative test is a prerequisite to return.

“As per the schools reopening guidelines, all pupils aged 12 years and above, will be required to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test prior to joining schools,” said a spokeswoman for the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the regulator for all schools in the emirate.

“Testing has already started for all pupils sitting for exams at the end of this academic year that would determine their university placements.

“They are expected to begin school on September 27 or as per the communication from their school.

“The government will cover the costs of testing all pupils who fall within the specified category.”

Schools have contacted families to inform parents where children must go to take the test.

Brendan Aspell, principal of Wales International school in Abu Dhabi, confirmed children have been asked to go to a nearby government testing facility to be screened.

"Pupils at our school were told yesterday to go to the local drive-through Seha centre in Al Shamkha for testing," he told The National.

"Without this test, they will be unable to return to school on Sunday. We are hoping very much that as many pupils as possible take the test and come back to school for face-to-face lessons from Sunday, as we feel that this is the best way for them to learn."

The pupils taking the tests have not attended in-person classes since March, when schools across the country were closed to slow the spread of the virus.

Younger children, between the ages of three and 11, or up to grade 5/year 6, have since returned.

All other year groups were to return to school in late September or early October as part of a staggered plan.

However, authorities have now 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”.

They said the decision was made in line with “ongoing preventative measures” to ensure the health and safety of pupils.

Exceptions have been made for children due to sit international exams this academic year.

Authorities said all pupils who will take GCSEs, A-levels, International Baccalaureate or an equivalent exam have been given the option to attend classes in person.

The move affects pupils in grades 9 to 12 (years 10 to 13), who are between the ages of 14 and 18.