Thousands of Sharjah private school teachers tested for Covid-19 as schools prepare to open

About 17,000 staff will have been screened by the end of the week

Schools have been closed since March. Victor Besa / The National

Thousands of teachers and other staff at Sharjah’s private schools are undergoing Covid-19 tests in preparation for the new term.

Sharjah Private Education Authority said about 17,000 people will have been tested by the end of the week.

Schools were given the green light to reopen, subject to strict guidelines designed to protect public health and stop the spread of Covid-19.

Pupils over the age of 12 will also undergo coronavirus tests next week.

The screening is being carried out in co-operation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and according to a schedule set by SPEA.

“This comes in line with SPEA’s strategy to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils and staff and in accordance with UAE’s precautionary measures,” said SPEA’s director, Ali Al Hosani.

The authority has also set down a series of guidelines governing the reopening of schools in the emirate.

Rules will ensure face masks are worn and physical distancing is practised inside classrooms, and will prevent crowds from gathering.

Schools are also advised to create Covid-19 task forces responsible for overseeing the precautionary measures.

Across the UAE, schools are getting ready to reopen on August 30, with safety rules varying from emirate to emirate.

But it was confirmed during the week that children across the country can continue with online learning for the first term if their parents wish them to do so.

The Ministry of Education said the move was to protect the health of staff and pupils.