Hazza Al Mansouri, Official Spokesman of the UAE’s Education Sector, recently address a media briefing of the UAE government, announcing the gradual return of in-person classes in the country in two groups.

According to the announcement made by the official, the first group will resume classes on January 24 while the second group will return on January 31.

Alongside Al Mansouri, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Official Spokesperson of the UAE Health Sector, stressed the importance of public compliance with necessary precautionary measures. She stated that the UAE leadership continue to prioritise the health and safety of the community against COVID-19.

Dr. Al Hosani added that the UAE emerged as a distinguished model in handling the COVID-19 pandemic with efficiency and effectiveness. She also affirmed that the UAE's preparedness helped in achieving the desired outcome to coordinate between national authorities and relevant sectors. Relevant authorities are working together to curb the spread of COVID-19 in line with the directives of the UAE’s leadership.

"The national efforts of all federal and local authorities and private entities are continuing to create a healthy environment for members of the community. Authorities are operating specialist teams with professional staff to ensure the health and safety of citizens, residents, and visitors," she added.

Dr. Al Hosani further underlined that hospitals across the country are working continuously to treat COVID-19 patients and provide them a healthy preventive environment. Health authorities are also putting their best foot forward to offer the best healthcare services to the country's citizens, residents, and visitors.

In line with these efforts, the health sector vaccinated 100 percent of the UAE's population with at least one vaccine dose while 93.19 percent are fully vaccinated.

Furthermore, the official called on all community members to receive their vaccination free of charge across designated health establishments around the country with the aim of achieving collective immunity and protecting people’s health. She also urged individuals above the age of 18 to take booster vaccine doses, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases to enhance protection against new variants of COVID-19.

COVID-19 also underlined the significance of following precautionary measures as the key to protect the population as well as vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Therefore, she highlighted the need for the public to continue their compliance with safety measures, adopting healthy practices to ensure the community’s safety. People are urged to continue to wear face masks, ensure social distancing, regular sanitisation and undergo regular testing to limit the spread of the virus.

"We advise everyone to be cautious if they experience flu symptoms, most notably respiratory system symptoms that are similar to those of seasonal flu. We also highlight the importance of undergoing PCR testing," Al Hosani added.

She reiterated the significance of undergoing regular PCR tests for accuracy in detecting infection and limiting the spread of the virus. The vaccine will not alone help in limiting the spread of the virus as adhering to related preventive measures and following updated protocols will strengthen the fight against COVID-19.

Moving on, Dr. Al Hosani stressed the importance of public responsibility for working with national efforts to protect the current achievements of the country.

"We stress the importance of adhering to the preventive measures amidst the gradual resumption of activities. Your health is a priority of the UAE’s leadership," she added.

Later, Al Mansouri explained the updated procedures and directives of the Ministry of Education in accordance with the latest development in the pandemic situation.

As per the updated framework, education sector has enhanced the monitoring of the situation to ensure the safe return to normalcy, maintain public health and protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and administrative staff in educational establishments.

In-class learning will return gradually with the first group resuming education on January 24. This first group will include nursery students, first-grade students, 12th-grade students (13th-grade in the British education system). In addition, students undergoing international and major examinations and higher education establishments’ students are also in the first group. He added that the green pass system on the al Hosn app will be implemented for the first group.

Meanwhile, the second group will comprise the remaining school levels and grades and will return on January 31.

He pointed out several preventive measures implemented by the ministry to ensure the smooth return of in-person education. As per the protocols, all students are required to show a negative PCR test result conducted within 96 hours. A negative PCR test result must be present every two weeks to continue in-person classes.

Furthermore, parents are required to use the green pass system before entering educational establishments. They must also showcase a negative PCR test result performed within 96 hours.

The ministry has currently suspended school trips until further notice. However, sports and cultural activities can continue in schools in compliance with relevant precautionary measures.

At the same time, parents willing to continue remote education for their children can opt for online learning till they desire, Al Mansouri added. In this regard, school administrations will be contacting parents directly to provide them necessary information on the learning system and ongoing health situation in the school premises.

He also called on all parents to ensure that PCR tests are conducted early to avoid overcrowding at the health facilities.

In conclusion, the official pointed out that these guidelines are subject to necessary modifications in accordance with the current health situation in the country.

"During all stages of the crisis, the educational sector’s administrations and employees have proven their efficiency and flexibility in addressing the situation. We thank them for implementing the country’s directives aimed at maintaining public health and safety," he said.

WAM