Parents or family member who are dropping off or collecting children from Sharjah schools are either required to be fully vaccinated or present a negative PCR test from within 72 hours. The rule was announced on Saturday and has come into effect immediately.

An email was sent by schools to parents informing of the new requirements to ensure the safety of the students and teachers. 

The announcement was made after a statement was issued by Sharjah Private Education Authority (Spea) on ‘back to school’ procedures. It said all visitors to schools, including parents, family members, maids and drivers, need to be fully vaccinated or present negative report of PCR test not taken before 72 hours.

“We inform you that all visitors including parents are required to present a complete Covid-19 vaccination card [at least two doses], or a negative PCR test result valid for no longer than 72 hours in order to enter the school,” Spea’s statement read.

Shahrazad Hwarneh, principal of Al Estiqlal Private School in Sharjah, said the decision is aimed to ensure the health and safety of all, but it will be a challenge. “Parents who are currently visiting schools to register their children are told they can't enter because they didn’t have a PCR nor were they vaccinated,” she said. “This happened with many parents today at my school and it must have happened at other schools too.”

Ms Hwarneh believes remote learning is not as effective as physical learning in school. “For that purpose I’m trying to raise the awareness of my pupils, as well as parents, about the importance of the vaccine hoping it will encourage them to take it.” 

In Sharjah, tests are mandatory for people aged 12 years and over. Employees were also instructed to allow vaccination in schools. Anyone exempt from vaccination needs to undergo weekly PCR tests. New employees coming from abroad are given two months grace period to receive both doses of the vaccine. However, during that time weekly PCR test results must be shown by them to enter the school premises.

Students below 12 years are not required to receive vaccine to enter schools. Instead a one-time negative PCR test result is to be shown at the beginning of the academic year.