UAE public schools pupils to continue distance learning for first two weeks of term

Only 50 per cent of staff will be allowed in schools until full-time in-person classes resume

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

Pupils at government schools in the UAE will continue learning online for the first two weeks of the term starting January 3, 2021.

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday said public schools across the country would continue with study from home measures for the period and until further notice.

It said a return to in-person classes would be announced following an assessment of “the health situation and developments”.

Only half of teachers and administrative staff can attend school next week while the rest should work from home.

The ministry said it would be up to each school to draw up its operation plans and schedules for pupils when in-person classes resume to ensure safety measures are being observed amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Private school pupils across the country will return in-person classes next week.

Principals said they expected a major increase in pupils returning to classrooms, after many opted for distance learning during the first term of the academic year. They said the introduction of a Covid-19 vaccine was giving a much-needed boost to parents' confidence.

Abu Dhabi institutions are also set for changes because all pupils, including those with chronic health conditions, can return to in-person lessons next month.
Pupils attending private schools in Years 7 to 9, or between the ages around 11 to 14, will return to their classrooms in January after a 10-month gap.