Dubai schools prepare for reopening with safety protocols

Our Correspondent
Dubai

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai’s private education regulator, released on July 5 a set of health and safety guidelines that schools should follow when they reopen. Almost 300,000 pupils attend 209 private schools in Dubai which are scheduled to open in September; schools had closed in March to arrest the spread of COVID-19 and continued the remaining term till the end of June online.

The circular titled ‘Protocols for the Reopening of Private Schools in Dubai’ has 118 points. It includes steps such as wearing masks by all students aged six years and above and maintaining a 1.5-metre distance in classrooms. Teachers will wear masks too.

Schools will put up signages, install sanitizer dispensers, handwashing stations and thermal screening cameras. Thermal cameras have to be installed at the entrance of schools. School buses will check temperatures of children before they board, and if a student has a temperature above 37.5 °C he/she will not be allowed inside.

Students will be designated a chair and table, and no swapping will be permitted in class.
Vending machines, pantries and pre-packed food and drinks will be allowed. Disposable containers, frequent sanitization of machines and maintaining 2-meter distance should be ensured.

Some schools plan to go for a blended model, subject to KHDA approval, where children will come to school in shifts. They also plan necessary adjustments in logistics, infrastructure, and safety to make schools safe, secure and risk-free. Teachers, caretakers, and support staff will be trained to ensure safety guidelines are followed.