The Ministry of Education announced that schools in UAE might close if Covid-19 cases increase. The announcement comes just as students gear up to resume classes on campus. Schools will halt in-class lessons and return to full-time distance learning if there is deemed to be an ‘extreme risk’ to safety. Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) recently announced 100% e-learning for students for the first two weeks. Students from all schools in Sharjah will have 100% e-learning until 10 September.
The Ministry on 26 August issued a set of extensive guidelines that will be followed if cases spike. The ministry has split the functionality of schools depending on the level of risk.
Ministry Announces New Directives For UAE Schools
1. Schools will operate normally in case of a’low risk level’- where there are upto 5 cases per 100,000 population in seven days. Socials distancing and wearing a facemask is a must at all times.
2. At ‘moderate risk’, schools will function at 50% capacity. Distance learning and homeschooling options will be provided to parents.
3. In case of ‘high risk’- when there are between 21 and 35 cases per 100,000 people – schools will cut down the capacity to 15%. Further, only pupils whose parents are frontline workers or have no childcare options will be permitted to attend physical classes. On that note, Are Parents Ready To Send Their Kids Back To School? Read our survey.
4. Schools are advised to be watchful of common infection-spreading areas like toilets, canteens, entry and exit points. Schools are also asked to watch on the transmission of the virus through food suppliers that come into the campus from external sources. In addition, all members inside the campus, above 12 years of age must take a Covid-19 test prior to the start of the academic year.
5. A distance of 1.5m between pupils must be maintained in classrooms, laboratories and learning resources rooms. Further, a distance of 2m must be followed between pupils in other facilities of the educational establishments.
6. The maximum number of pupils per classroom in schools is 15 pupils. Here are the other protocols for Dubai students.