The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) recently discussed the indicators of post-pandemic recovery in the education sector which paved the way for full-fledged return of in-person learning in schools and educational institutions. The meeting saw the participation of Dr. Muhadtha Al Hashemi, Chairman of the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Ali Al Hosani, Director of the Authority; along with other leaders of the authority and all private school managers across Sharjah.

During the meeting, the participants formulated the requirements to strengthen in-person learning in the post-pandemic recovery process. The requirements included the need for reaching 50 percent attendance in schools before October 31, 2021. This will be followed by intensive supervisory visits to schools. The meeting also called for strengthening the role of COVID-19 team in schools to ensure compliance with preventive measures, including maintaining safe distance among students and adhering to wearing face masks by students above seven years.

The requirements also called for ensuring that students permitted in classroom do not exceed the designated number and increasing the percentage of students in buses to 100 percent. Parents must register their pupils on the platform "Your Children are Safe". Furthermore, schools must ensure that there is 100 percent vaccination rate among school workers for non-excluded groups.

The authority has also called on parents to vaccinate their children over 12 years and ensure strict compliance with amended safety guidelines that will be issued during this week. They must provide a medical report approved by a designated health authority for students with medical exemptions for vaccination.

During their supervisory visits between October 10-31, the SPEA supervision teams will be focusing on schools' compliance with safety protocols. It will also submit the names of non-compliant schools to the sanctions committee for further action.

Dr. Muhadtha Al Hashemi also reassured to work towards fully returning to face-to-face education system on the basis of key indicators. The decision to return to in-class learning was taken in accordance with various indicators, including the required number of students enrolled in physical education must not be less than 50 percent, schools’ ability to deal with COVID-19 symptoms in the appropriate manner, ensuring the highest vaccination rates for all stakeholders in the educational field, and reviewing educational institutions' adherence to precautionary measures.

She underlined that the SPEA is working with its cadres as well as administrative and technical departments to ensure safe return of students and educational teams to schools. She hailed the cooperation shown by all parties of the educational system that helped in successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

She further lauded the unwavering support and follow-up shown by Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah that helped in boosting the efforts of the concerned authorities.

In addition, she thanked all stakeholders of the education sector and teams of the Authority along with students and parents for the consistent support to the efforts against COVID-19.

In conclusion, Authority Director Ali Al Hosani urged all school principals to review the amended guidelines that is going to be distributed among schools in the coming days to ensure safe return of students to face-to-face learning in compliance with preventive measures.

WAM