First day of school begins in various emirates

Our Correspondent

For the first time in six months, schools across the UAE have commenced in-class learning along with distance learning for over one million schoolchildren in the country. And it is not going to be regular school like earlier – there will be hybrid/blended models and alternating weeks of in-school sessions.

Also for the first time, campuses are conducting non-contact temperature checks, social distancing in classrooms and teaching children safety measures to be followed during a pandemic.

Over two months of the summer holidays, the Ministry of Education (Sharjah), the Department of Education and Knowledge (Abu Dhabi) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai) have kept parents and school staff informed about the regulations that will be taken when children return to school.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tweeted on August 29: “We hope this new academic year will be defined by great achievements. Our education system proved to be dynamic and resilient last year, and we are confident it will go from strength to strength. The safety and well-being of students remain our top priorities”.

Inspectors from the educational authorities inspected schools over the last few weeks to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.

Work from home option for government staff with young children

Female Dubai government employees with children who are e-learning can work from home, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, had announced on August 27. He also issued directives that male employees who do not have anyone to oversee their children’s distance learning be allowed to work from home.

In Sharjah, the Human Resources Directorate decided to grant a special week-long exceptional leave to female employees of the Sharjah government who have school-going children in the ninth grade and below, allowing them to work from home.