Blog: Schools in UAE reopen with Covid-19 protocols in place

Everything is set as school students return to campuses today for their first socially distanced classes. School managements have taken all steps to ensure safety under the guidance of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) officials.

However, some Dubai schools have decided to postpone the reopening of their campuses as some teachers and staff are yet to undergo Covid-19 tests, Khaleej Times has learnt.

#BackToSchoolSafely: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place

Live blog >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ pic.twitter.com/ihzyKj2PI2

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

Instead of welcoming back students to classrooms today, these schools started the new academic term with online classes as they await virus test results. Last week, the KHDA made it mandatory for all Dubai school staff to get screened for Covid-19 prior to reopening.

As schools across the country reopen today for a new academic year, Khaleej Times' reporters and multimedia journalists are stationed at various campuses to bring you the feel of the first day back at school for students and teachers:

10:45am

Children are seated inside the classroom at all times at Gems Our Own Indian School. . Even during the break time they are seated inside their classrooms.

10:42am

School cleaning staff is cleaning floors and common touch points continuously at Gems Our Own Indian School.

10:40am

Two doctors and four nurses on duty at the school clinic.

9:55am

Teachers in the Early Learning years are trying to cheer up pupils and induct them to a new classroom environment amid the new normal.

#Blog: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchool: Children are being given lessons by the teacher and they are doing some classwork and others are doing at home, virtually (Photos: Shihab/KT) pic.twitter.com/A7HbapMlWl

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

8:55am

Senior school, Grade 11 students, gather around a common room by 8.30 and for an induction session with the department heads and their teachers.

Principal Richard Drew said, "We're speaking to pupils about the flow of things they are expected to quickly adapt to in the coming days. The Grade 11 and 12 students are grouped seperately. The diploma classes won't have over 12 students."

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchool: Senior school students, gather around a common room by 8.30 and for an induction session with the department heads and their teachers. (Video by Neeraj Murali/KT) pic.twitter.com/MbNZVu6U8q

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

8:50am

Esther Paul, a Grade 11 student of JBS said, "I was here pretty early this morning. My temperatures were checked using an advanced temperature scanner, and it was very easy and streamlined. Coming into school was also easy, as there wasn't a lot of traffic this morning. Obviously, I was forward to being back because I'm looking forward to a sense of normalcy. The classrooms are much smaller, we're a small population."

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place https://t.co/66lNp499xJ
Esther Paul, a Grade 11 student of JBS said, "I was here pretty early this morning. I was forward to being back because I'm looking forward to a sense of normalcy." (Neeraj Murali/KT) pic.twitter.com/KtkMOBRw1E

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

8:40am

Teachers are giving tips on washing hands and wearing masks at Gems Our Own Indian School in Dubai.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Teachers are giving tips on washing hands and wearing masks at Gems Our Own Indian School in #Dubai. (Video by Shihab/KT) pic.twitter.com/9mnXccE0F2

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

8:30am

Classes have begun. Teachers are holding physical and virtual classes simultaneously at Gems Our Own Indian School in Dubai.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Classes have begun. Teachers are holding physical and virtual classes simultaneously at Gems Our Own Indian School in #Dubai. (Video by Shihab/KT) pic.twitter.com/iZMWSgnSQm

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

8:20am

Parents of early years and grade one students have been allowed to take their children into to the classroom door.

Richard Drew, the Principal of Jumeirah Baccalaureate explained, "After the first week, only parents of early years students who have been moved entirely into a new building, will be allowed to drop their kids to the classroom door. Senior school students will be dropped off by their parents at the pre-directed gates."

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ
Richard Drew, the Principal of Jumeirah Baccalaureate is seen communicating and greeting each and every parent and teacher as they arrive in school. (Video by Neeraj Murali) pic.twitter.com/ohp2b9oIfO

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

8:10am

Cameron Clark, primary deputy at the JBS is seen welcoming students and parents into the school campus on day one. He provides students with information on where they need to go, and the various ongoing protocol.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchool: Cameron Clark, Primary Deputy at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School is seen welcoming students and parents into the school campus on day one. (Video: Neeraj Murali) pic.twitter.com/KNFpSk06AC

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

Richard Drew, the principal of Jumeirah Baccalaureate School told Khaleej Times, "At every entrance gate, we have placed members of staff who will be guiding parents and students into their respective classrooms."

8:00am

Teachers are holding physical and virtual classes simultaneously at Gems Our Own Indian School in Al Quoz, Dubai.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Teachers are holding physical and virtual classes simultaneously at Gems Our Own Indian School in Al Quoz, #Dubai. (Photo by Shihab/KT) pic.twitter.com/TtHOkfJwgL

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

7:59am

Students arrive at Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Students arrive at Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi. Video by Ryan Lim/KT#BackToSchool2020 #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/kDWQPJ7GEq

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

7:55am

Social distancing markers have been placed all over the school campus at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Social distancing markers have been placed all over the school campus at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School. (Video by Neeraj Murali/KT) pic.twitter.com/ldXdl6mjpN

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

7:40am

Social distancing markers have been placed all over the school campus at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School.

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Social distancing markers have been placed all over the school campus at the Jumeirah Baccalaureate School. Photo by Dhanusha Gokulan/KT pic.twitter.com/z5SSq0MiHR

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

7:35am

Students and staff arrive at Jumeirah Baccalaureate School in Dubai

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Students and staff arrive at Jumeirah Baccalaureate School in #Dubai. Video by Neeraj Murali/KT#BackToSchool2020 #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/GzDduwpNvi

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

7:25am

Staggered entries as temperatures are being checked at the entrance of the school

#Live: #Schools in #UAE reopen today with #Covid_19 protocols in place >> https://t.co/66lNp499xJ#BackToSchoolSafely: Staggered entries as temperatures are being checked at the entrance of the school. (Video by Shihab/KT)#BackToSchool2020 #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/SwurN4zGok

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020

7:15am

Parents have started coming in to drop their children

#Blog: Schools in #UAE reopen today with Covid-19 protocols in placehttps://t.co/66lNp499xJ

Video: Parents have started coming in to drop their children (Video by Shihab/KT) pic.twitter.com/NGZBY6r6uB

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 30, 2020