Coronavirus: No quarantine measures, closures for Indian High School Dubai

Dubai - The school CEO has also advised parents to not to listen baseless rumours.

The Indian High School campuses in Dubai will not be closed or quarantined, following reports that a school student was tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus at the school's Oud Metha campus.
CEO of Indian High School Group of Schools Punit MK Vasu has issued a written circular to parents assuring parents that a thorough deep clean and disinfecting has been done and the school is following proper health and safety precautions as instructed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Dubai Municipality and Dubai Health Authority (DHA). A copy of the circular was shared with Khaleej Times by the school authorities.
Schools' remain open for staff
Vasu told parents, "On the possibility of a suspected case, we responded proactively and cancelled all exams scheduled from Thursday, March 5, only to avoid panic among students and parents. We took this necessary step to ensure no one feels vulnerable about misleading messages circulating across social media."
However, as Khaleej Times has reported earlier, the grade 10 and 12 Central Board of Secondary Board exams will continue as per the scheduled Board exam timetable.
"All necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Our schools' offices were open as normal today and the school staff reported to work as usual and there are no quarantine measures or closures in place in the school," said Vasu.
The school CEO has also advised parents to not to listen baseless rumours and only depend on government communications. The school is among the first in Dubai to undergo the deep clean and disinfection process.
Class and bus-mates of the 16-year-old Indian student infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus underwent nasal swab and temperature tests on Thursday, according to parents, school staff and the DHA.
No re-exam for students
"There will be no re-exam and all students will be promoted on a pro rata basis - i.e. with proportionate weightage for the canceled examinations," said the circular. Components such as portfolio, multiple assessments and subject enrichment activities recommended by the CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (as relevant) will be taken into consideration. "Rest assured that we are working on a formula that will give due benefit to all learners," said the
"Details of online result declaration, sale of books and reopening date will be notified in the coming days," added Vasu.
Online Learning
The school has also put in place a remote learning system for students to deliver bridge classes virtually, using user friendly learning management system- Google Classroom and video conferencing tool - Zoom.
Resourceful and efficient use of technology is the order of the day and the IHS Group of "Schools are getting ready to do a pilot run in the bridge classes for the incoming Grades 10 and 12 (2020-21) in the next few days," said Vasu. Following the pilot programme, the school will make this method of learning an integral part of education at the IHS Group of Schools.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai