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Fighting coronavirus: 56,000 virus tests conducted, class bubbles secured in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - Schools are following guidelines and policies set by the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).

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 More than 56,000 Covid-19 tests have been conducted for students and teachers in Abu Dhabi, while schools have set stringent measures to welcome back students to class today. Secure class bubbles and designated zones have been established.

In line with plans to reopen schools and colleges, COVID-19 testing is underway for all students, teachers, lectures and staff at public and private schools, colleges and universities in #AbuDhabi. pic.twitter.com/ukPKsJYkPk
- ???? ?????? ???????? (@admediaoffice) August 29, 2020

Schools are following guidelines and policies set by the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek). All staff have been tested for Covid-19 and, for students, only those aged 12 and above require negative test results to attend in-person classes.
The Capital's back-to-school screening programme is being run for 449 government and private schools, as well as 25 colleges and universities.
In the first phase of reopening, only students from kindergarten to Grade 5 will be returning for face-to-face classes today, while all other grade levels will be back four weeks later.
Facilities are disinfected; isolation rooms established; sanitisers kept at key points; social distancing stickers placed on floors; and staff members are given instructions to make students feel comfortable
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi principal Michael Wilson said students' safety is their top priority. "Students from FS 2 to Year 6 will return while Year 7 to Year 13 continue remote learning as per the Adek directive. All our staff have been tested for Covid-19 and cleared. Students from Year 2 and above will be wearing masks. We follow strict measures like social distancing, regular disinfection of the facility."
The school has created class bubbles and zones to ensure a completely secured environment. This also helps facilitate the track and trace process for any suspected cases that may arise.
Parents are allowed to opt for remote learning for their kids but Wilson said the majority of FS 2 to Year students are returning to the campus today.
One campus to welcome back 40 out of 5,000 students
Shining Star International School, Mayoor Private School and The Model School are among the select CBSE schools in Abu Dhabi that are set to have students in their classrooms.
For The Model School, elaborate precautionary measures will be in place as 40 students out of 5,000 are set to return, according to its principal Abdul Kader V.V.
"We have four students for KG and 36 students from Grade 1 to 4 attending the face-to-face classes. The remaining students from 5,000 will continue e-learning. We have prepared a separate timetable. Students of KG to Grade 2 will attend classes on Monday and Wednesday, and those from Grade 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday," Kader said.
Meanwhile, Private International English School and Global Indian International School are planning to resume face-to-face classes from Wednesday.
Some to stick to online classes
Among Abu Dhabi's CBSE schools that are set to continue with distance learning are the Abu Dhabi Indian School, Al Muroor, ADIS Branch 1 in Al Wathba, St Joseph's School and Dunes International School. The decision was taken as parents remained reluctant to send their children back to campuses, they said
Abu Dhabi Indian School principal Neeraj Bhargava said the move was based on surveys and meetings with parents. "We are ready with a hybrid model in which one group will come in the first week and another in the next week but parents didn't opt for this as they are apprehensive. Our senior students are willing to come from October 1."
Dunes International School principal Paramjit Ahluwalia added: "We have kept school ready but parents are reluctant. But after two weeks, more than 40 students of KG 1 and KG 2 and 10-12 students from Grade 1 and 2 should be back in classes. Hopefully parents will feel overcome their fear factor. The silence in the school is too loud to bear it for me."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com 
nandini@khaleejtimes.com