As schools across Dubai are reopening for in-person classes from October 3, teachers, administrative staff and other stakeholders are gearing efforts to ensure safe return of full-time learning for all students. Operators, teachers and other staff are working together to promote safety as well as fun experience for the entire education community in the emirate as they resume face-to-face learning from next month.

So far, approximately 75 percent of students have returned to schools for in-person classes during the new academic year. This figure has significantly increased from 50 percent in September 2020.

Speaking about the development, KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) Director General Dr. Abdulla Al Karam stated that the entire education community, including government, school staff and parents, have been working together to ensure safe return of students to fulltime face-to-face learning.

"It is important to keep wellbeing at the heart of the teaching and learning experience. We’re grateful to our community for everything they’ve done to support high-quality education in Dubai, and we look forward to a safe academic year full of friendship, happiness and fun," Dr Karam added.

Since the start of September, KHDA team have made more than 700 visits to schools to review their compliance with health and safety protocols. This means the inspection teams have conducted on an average of three visits per school to ensure maximum compliance to safety guidelines. During inspections, an overwhelming majority of schools were found in adherence with relevant precautionary guidelines issued by authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Noting that students will be returning to schools in large numbers from October 3, Dubai authorities have also provided the option of distance learning to students with a valid medical exemption certificate issued by the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) and to those unable to return to schools due to COVID-19 circumstances.

Earlier this year, more than 75,000 parents participated in a survey conducted by KHDA. According to the results of the survey, around 89 percent of parents expressed their willingness to send their children to schools for in-person classes.

WAM