At least 30 schools in Dubai are switching back to distance learning for initial few days of the new term due to rising number of Covid-19 cases in the community.

On Sunday evening, schools wrote to parents informing them school gates would remain closed as people had been tested positive for Covid-19. Several staff members and students were also identified as close contacts of infected people.

Gems Education, that operates 28 schools in Dubai, said cases had been detected through extensive testing. Twenty-six schools of its network will resume e-learning for a minimum two days, which can be extended to five days, a spokesman said.

“Gems Education schools in Dubai are looking forward to welcoming back our students for the start of a new semester tomorrow,” said Elmarie Venter, chief operations officer. “A number will revert to distance learning with the full support of the KHDA, due to rising numbers of positive Covid-19 test results and staff who are close contacts.”

“We expect to return to full in-class learning in all our schools very shortly and will continue to strictly adhere to all national guidelines.”

In a letter to parents, the heads of primary and secondary sections at Gems Founders School said this decision was not been taken lightly. “As you will be aware, the cases of Covid-19 have been rapidly increasing worldwide over the past few weeks, which has led to a significant increase in the number of positive cases amongst our families as well as our staff community,” it read. “It is important to note that, as a result, to limit the spread of Covid-19 and ensure the health and safety of our GFS community, we will revert to remote online learning for the first week of term 2. From Monday, January 3 until Friday January 7, 2022.”

Last week, Dubai’s education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, permitted private schools in the city to resume physical classes for the new term. Pupils did not require to show proof of a valid negative PCR test on returning, however this was at the discretion of the school.

Other schools that have delayed the start of physical teaching ahead of the new term include Kent College Dubai and Victory Heights Primary School. Both schools said in a letter to parents they would review the situation in coming days and decide on resuming normal operations. As per KHDA guidelines, all school canteens have to remain closed for the first two weeks of school. Extracurricular activities, assemblies and trips also to be suspended until further notice.