Abu Dhabi pupils with chronic health conditions can now return to schools

Children with medical issues will need certificates from doctors before they can attend classes

Stephen Haw sees off his sons Hugo, nine and Hector, seven at the gates of Brighton College in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

Johnny Archer, nine and mother, Anna pictured before the start of the school day

A father gives his daughter a final hug before school

Darcey Clement, nine, says goodbye to her dog Bella, before going to class

Eshan Boly, aged nine, in front of Brighton College in Khalifa Park

Children have been at home since March when schools closed

Parents have been preparing their children for the big day, ensuring they have masks and sanitisers and are aware of the need to follow various rules

Parents have been preparing their children for the big day, ensuring they have masks and sanitisers and are aware of the need to follow various rules

Pupils brought their own lunch in cool boxes given that school canteens are closed

Parents see their children off at the school gates

Schools and authorities have implemented a series of guidelines to ensure staff and pupil safety

Parents see their children off at the school gates. Abu Dhabi has a staggered return to the school year

Pupils with chronic health conditions can return to their classrooms in Abu Dhabi next month, the emirate's private school regulator said on Wednesday.

Previously, pupils with health issues were barred from attending school as a precaution because they were at greater risk of severe symptoms should they catch Covid-19.

On Wednesday, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge said private and charter school pupils with chronic medical conditions would have the option to attend school in person for the following term, starting January 3, 2021.

Returning pupils must present a letter from their doctor stating that they are medically fit to attend school. They much also submit a parent consent form acknowledging the potential health risks to their child.

Adek said it worked with health authorities in the emirate to ensure a safe return to school for all pupils.

Schools and universities across the Emirates closed in March and switched to online classes to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The return to classrooms in Abu Dhabi has been staggered, with children older than 12 returning to school in late September or early October.

Children aged 11 and under resumed in-person classes in August.

Last month, Adek announced that all private school pupils in Abu Dhabi would have the option to return to school for the new academic term, including pupils in years seven to nine – or from about the age of 11 to 14 – who had previously been exempt from in-classroom education

Karen Leach, from the UK, said she was "hugely relieved" at the decision, which will affect her 16-year-old daughter.

He daughter has Crohn's Disease - a chronic illness that inflames the bowel and causes abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss - but has been in remission for over a year with doctors saying it is safe for her to return to school.
"My daughter needs to get back to a normal life," said Ms Leach.

"We will definitely be sending her back to school in January.
"She was getting depressed at home and her school work had been suffering. There had been no option for her to return to school so far."

Radwa Allabban, Egyptian-British mother of three boys, aged between four and 10, said her eldest son was also eager to return his school.

The boy, who is severely asthmatic and also has a nut allergy, attends The British School Al Khubairat.

"Distance learning was not a positive experience for my son, despite the exceptional efforts of his school, so I am looking forward to him going to school in January," she said.

"I have no concerns because he is very cautious and the school is very involved with his care plan."

Ms Allaban said she was extremely worried after the outbreak, as her son's allergies put him in the high-risk category.

"I was always worried for his safety and well-being," she said.

"He is almost 11 now and is vigilant and well-aware of the seriousness of his medical conditions. I trust him to look after himself."