Coronavirus: How Dubai schools keep students, parents calm ahead of reopening

By now, students and parents have been briefed about all the precautionary measures that come with the upcoming reopening of campuses - but preparations go beyond implementing safety rules. Schools in the UAE are also ensuring that pupils and their families are mentally prepared for the new normal.
For several schools in Dubai, mindfulness is part of safety in the time of Covid-19.
At GEMS Modern Academy, orientations will be different this year, with experts coming in to talk to schoolkids about their anxieties.
Nargish Khambatta, the academy's principal and CEO, said: "I think children have some apprehensions, so we are getting a neuro-linguistic programme (NLP) expert to talk to children about the anxieties they are facing.
"What are their fears? Every grade will go through that session with the NLP expert. I think just by talking about it sometimes helps. Knowing that others are facing the same thing gets it out of their system."
Some senior students are also being trained by mental health experts, so they can provide psychological care to their fellow students, in case the need arises.
"They are trained to handle student fear and anxiety. When children talk to children, it eases fear. Teachers have also been undergoing orientations as to what that 'back to school' programme should look like. Kids are looking forward to coming back, the more we talk to them, the more they feel assured and trust the leadership," Khambatta added.
Multiple orientations, personal calls from school heads
Multiple orientation sessions for both parents and studebts are certainly more meaningful and more crucial this year. They include topics like how parents should prepare kids for school before the start of classes; how students must be guided while they are in school; and what should be done when they return home.
Mohammad Ali Kottakkulam, principal of Gulf Indian High School Dubai, added: "Sessions also include wellness activities to boost parents' morale and confidence before reopening and later, once in a month. Such sessions will surely address all their concerns and fears."
For pupils, there will be wellness sessions like mind relaxation periods for 15 minutes, as well as 'Wellness Wednesdays', he said.
Credence High School has been addressing parents' fears by holding virtual meetings. "We are in continuous touch with our parents through official WhatsApp groups and all queries are answered immediately," said Deepika Thapar Singh, the school's CEO-principal.
Some are taking the time to call every parent who is still worried about sending their kids to school.
Sharafudeen Thanikatt, principal of Crescent English High School, Dubai, said: "This effort is now completed with over 400 calls made across all phases. These calls have left almost all parents satisfied with the plan of the school. The school help desk is functional six days a week for parents who prefer to visit the school to sort out issues."
nandini@khaleejtimes.com