As the UAE government is making efforts to vaccinate its population against COVID-19, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council has urged all employees of public and private educational establishments to take the Coronavirus vaccine. Sheikh Abdullah has urged all teachers and administrative staff of public and private educational establishments to take the COVID-19 vaccine with the aim of supporting the country's ongoing efforts to vaccinate more 50 percent of the population in the first quarter of 2021. This will also help in boosting the return of school and academic year to normalcy in the post-pandemic world.

He made these remarks at a recent meeting of the Education and Human Resources Council that he chaired via video conferencing. During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah hailed the achievements of the council’s members as they ensured and maintained the continuity of the education process across the UAE amid the pandemic crisis. At the same time, they made efforts to strengthen the capacities of human resources and invest in the youth of the country for a progressive future ahead.

He affirmed that the cooperation of all members of the community is necessary to overcome the ongoing phase of the pandemic crisis. He further expressed confidence in the crucial role played by education professionals and employees of educational establishments in supporting the national efforts aimed at containing the pandemic.

Sheikh Abdullah also highlighted the significance of the education sector in supporting the national efforts to combat the impact of the pandemic, noting it is a vital sector in the UAE. He also affirmed that the UAE has been keen on leading other countries to counter the virus by adopting proactive measures, conducting more tests and offering COVID-19 vaccines to all sections of the society.

Sheikh Abdullah added that the authorities are looking to the return of students to their schools such that they are able to develop their skills and capacities in a safe and healthy academic environment.

During the meeting, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, also presented a strategy aimed at promoting national entrepreneurship to establish a comprehensive framework to support entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UAE.

Dr Al Falasi spoke about the role played by the SME sector in creating job opportunities and boosting the regional and global competitiveness of the UAE in the market.

At the same time, the council members talked about the enrolment conditions for nurseries and elementary education. In this regard, they discussed setting the necessary age of enrolment to four-year-old for the first year of nursery and six-year-old for the first year of elementary education for the 2021-2022 academic year that starts from August 31.

The Ministry of Education and other local education authorities also agreed on starting the academic year 2021-2022 and allowing students from India, Pakistan and Japan in private UAE schools on March 31.

Besides the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Education Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammad, the meeting was attended by Minister of Culture and Youth Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi; Minister of State for Public Education Jameela Al Muheiri; Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli; Minister of Community Development Hessa Essa Buhumaid; Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri; Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi; Minister of State for Youth Affairs Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui; Minister of State for Advanced Sciences Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri and other senior officials.

WAM