Coronavirus: Mixed emotions as students in Sharjah step into school campuses again

Sharjah - Students were greeted with temperature checks at the entrance, while sanitiser dispensers lined the hallways.

Schools in Sharjah welcomed students on campus for their first socially-distanced classes. Children were brought in by parents or were seen getting off from school buses with a series of safety precautions in place. Yellow buses were less than half full as part of the physical distancing measures and parents were halted beyond a point on the building premises.
Students were greeted with temperature checks at the entrance, while sanitiser dispensers lined the hallways. Stickers and signs on the floors and walls helped ensure that they kept their physical distance and break times meant students remained inside classrooms.
Meanwhile, there was a visible mixture of regular back-to-school excitement and anxiety on Sunday. Grade 12 student Aditya Nair from GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah - Boys, said: "Face-to-face learning is a much better option. I was excited to come to school after such a long break. Grade 12 is a crucial year and I feel on-site learning is important in this critical year. I am the only one attending classes on campus from my batch. However, I don't think there is a need to be apprehensive. Everybody is responsible for themselves as long as you wear your mask and follow the guidelines. Hopefully, others will follow suit as they see us coming to school for face-to-face classes."
Grade 8 Student Amaan Abdullah Karuthedath says this school term is strikingly different. "We did get a brief from the school about what to do and what to expect. But when you see it yourself that's when you feel the massive difference. I also travelled by the school bus which was running below its full capacity. When I entered my classroom, I just met one other student who had also opted for blended learning. The class is empty and the desks and the chairs have been rearranged bearing in mind the 2-metre distance. There are thermal scanners, sanitisers and all teachers and students are wearing masks all the time. So, in the morning I was nervous initially but gradually the apprehension receded."
The on-site reopening of Sharjah private schools was postponed twice since August 30, due to prevailing "health status" at the time. Returning students above the age of 12, as well as all teachers and support staff, had to undergo mandatory Covid-19 tests.
Srivalsan Murugan, principal and CEO of GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah - Boys, said: "Staff are so excited to be welcoming our students back to school. Education is about hearts and minds. The remote learning programmes have stimulated their minds, but now it is time for the beating hearts of the school to return."
Asma Gilani, principal and CEO of GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah - Girls, said: "We are delighted to welcome our children back to school. We have ensured all necessary steps have been taken to provide the highest levels of sanitisation and cleanliness. Our children will have a unique 'back to school' experience with masks and social distancing in place - an experience they will be able to add to their treasure trove of memories of school."
Some school were upbeat about the face-to-face reopening but had to defer it. Pramod Mahajan, principal of Sharjah Indian School, said: "The school is ready and so is the staff but some of the Covid-19 test results have not come in yet. Once, the report comes in, students who have opted for blended learning can start coming back to the campus. We are looking forward to this."
nandini@khaleejtimes.com 

• Sharjah