Parents in UAE can pick in-person classes or distance learning during first school term

Ministry of Education says move aims to protect health of staff and pupils before reopening

A cheerful sign at the entrance to Dubai British School. Staff are preparing to welcome pupils back in late August. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National

Partitions can be used to separate pupils in classes

Pupils in schools across the country will wear masks throughout the day to prevent the spread of germs

Schools are working on separate entrances and exits to reduce crowds of pupils

Desks are clearly spread apart and numbers are limited

Staff installed about 130 hand sanitiser units at Dubai British School

Similar to in malls, markers are used to ensure pupils are spread out if in queues

Tables in the school canteen are spread out and have just two chairs on each

The school day will look a little different than before but will allow for face to face lessons for the first time in months

Pupils leave their bags in cupboards as part of efforts to stop germs from being spread around the school

The entrance to the auditorium at the Dubai British School. Pawan Singh / The National

Outside view of the Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils can continue with online learning for the first term of school, education chiefs confirmed on Sunday.

As schools gear up to reopen on August 30, parents of pupils at all private and public institutions can pick in-person classes or continue with remote learning.

The Ministry of Education said the move aims to safeguard the health of staff and pupils.

Private education regulators in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi had earlier confirmed that pupils at private facilities would have a distance learning option.

"Parents have been allowed to freely choose between their children's mode of attendance, face to face at school or through distance learning, for the first term, to achieve stability within the school community and to ensure the safety of our students, while meeting the requirements of physical distancing," the ministry said.

About 1,099,331 children at 1,262 private and public schools across the UAE will start the new academic year on August 30.

And education chiefs have developed comprehensive plans for a gradual return of pupils to UAE's schools.

They have been closed since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Also on Sunday, Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) announced that pupils at Abu Dhabi's private schools will have a staggered return.

Only those in kindergarten or foundation stage two to year six will return to school for in-person classes on August 30.

Children in year seven and above will start face-to-face classes four weeks later.

It was just one of several regulations announced by Adek regarding the safe return of pupils to classrooms in Abu Dhabi. Adek also stipulated that pupils over the age of 12, teaching staff and employees must undergo Covid-19 tests; classroom sizes are restricted to 15, while pupils must maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres.