Blog: Schools in UAE reopen with Covid-19 protocols in place

Photo: Neeraj Murali/KT

Dubai - Khaleej Times' journalists are stationed at various campuses to bring you the feel of the first day back at school for students and teachers.

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By Team KT

Published: Sat 29 Aug 2020, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 30 Aug 2020, 7:14 PM

Everything is set as school students return to campuses today for their first socially distanced classes. School managements have taken all steps to ensure safety under the guidance of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) officials.
However, some Dubai schools have decided to postpone the reopening of their campuses as some teachers and staff are yet to undergo Covid-19 tests, Khaleej Times has learnt.

Instead of welcoming back students to classrooms today, these schools started the new academic term with online classes as they await virus test results. Last week, the KHDA made it mandatory for all Dubai school staff to get screened for Covid-19 prior to reopening.
As schools across the country reopen today for a new academic year, Khaleej Times' reporters and multimedia journalists are stationed at various campuses to bring you the feel of the first day back at school for students and teachers:


10:45am
Children are seated inside the classroom at all times at Gems Our Own Indian School. . Even during the break time they are seated inside their classrooms.


10:42am
School cleaning staff is cleaning floors and common touch points continuously at Gems Our Own Indian School.


10:40am
Two doctors and four nurses on duty at the school clinic.


9:55am
Teachers in the Early Learning years are trying to cheer up pupils and induct them to a new classroom environment amid the new normal.

 

8:55am
Senior school, Grade 11 students, gather around a common room by 8.30 and for an induction session with the department heads and their teachers.
Principal Richard Drew said, "We're speaking to pupils about the flow of things they are expected to quickly adapt to in the coming days. The Grade 11 and 12 students are grouped seperately. The diploma classes won't have over 12 students."

8:50am
Esther Paul, a Grade 11 student of JBS said, "I was here pretty early this morning. My temperatures were checked using an advanced temperature scanner, and it was very easy and streamlined. Coming into school was also easy, as there wasn't a lot of traffic this morning. Obviously, I was forward to being back because I'm looking forward to a sense of normalcy. The classrooms are much smaller, we're a small population."

8:40am
Teachers are giving tips on washing hands and wearing masks at Gems Our Own Indian School in Dubai.

8:30am
Classes have begun. Teachers are holding physical and virtual classes simultaneously at Gems Our Own Indian School in Dubai.

8:20am
Parents of early years and grade one students have been allowed to take their children into to the classroom door.

Richard Drew, the Principal of Jumeirah Baccalaureate explained, "After the first week, only parents of early years students who have been moved entirely into a new building, will be allowed to drop their kids to the classroom door. Senior school students will be dropped off by their parents at the pre-directed gates."

8:10am
Cameron Clark, primary deputy at the JBS is seen welcoming students and parents into the school campus on day one. He provides students with information on where they need to go, and the various ongoing protocol.
Richard Drew, the principal of Jumeirah Baccalaureate School told Khaleej Times, "At every entrance gate, we have placed members of staff who will be guiding parents and students into their respective classrooms."


8:00am
Teachers are holding physical and virtual classes simultaneously at Gems Our Own Indian School in Al Quoz, Dubai.


7:59am
Students arrive at Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi.


7:55am
Social distancing markers have been placed all over the school campus at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School.

7:40am
Social distancing markers have been placed all over the school campus at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School.

7:35am
Students and staff arrive at Jumeirah Baccalaureate School in Dubai


7:25am
Staggered entries as temperatures are being checked at the entrance of the school


7:15am
Parents have started coming in to drop their children

 

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Photo: Ryan Lim/KT
Photo: Ryan Lim/KT
Photo: Ryan Lim/KT
Photo: Shihab/KT
Photo: Shihab/KT
Photo: Shihab/KT
Photo: Shihab/KT
Team KT

Published: Sat 29 Aug 2020, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 30 Aug 2020, 7:14 PM

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