Coronavirus: Some teachers in UAE are being asked to come to school, and they are worried

Abu Dhabi / Dubai - They feel their well-being is not being taken into consideration.

All students across the country are now on their early, extended spring break as part of precautions against the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. However, a number of private school teachers and staff are concerned that they were being asked to report to work.

The four-week closure of all schools and universities in the country started on Sunday, according to a decision issued by the Ministry of Education.
KHDA answers all your queries in school breaks

When it comes to teachers' work, education authorities - the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) - have allowed school managements to offer flexible options.

In a statement sent to Khaleej Times, the KHDA has said teachers and staff are encouraged to organise their work schedule with the school in a "mutually beneficial arrangement".

In a few schools, teachers and staff have been asked to come to work. Worried and disappointed, they said they felt their well-being is "not taken into consideration".

'Is it safe?'

An Indian-curriculum school, where a 16-year-old student tested positive for Covid-19, was one of the campuses where teachers were called in to work.

A senior schoolteacher said: "We just want a week off so that they (school management) can clean the school properly.
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"Only one day was spent on deep cleaning, which the school is claiming has been done in the senior campus where the student was present. Workshops are also being conducted. How do we know it's safe?"

The Indian school was not immediately available for comment.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, a teacher from the primary section of an Abu Dhabi school confirmed that they have been asked to work.

"We were under the impression that the school will close for us, but we have been asked to come for the next two weeks - until March 18 at regular school timings.

"Timetable for the week after that will be given to us later, but we have not been given even a single day off in this spring break given to students," she said.

She said that although most of the classes (excluding Grade 10 and 12) have completed their syllabus, teachers have been asked to come to school and correct student papers and enter their marks in the electronic system.

"We are also taking e-learning sessions to teach students in the new academic year online, in case the Covid-19 situation goes on for longer."

The school had, however, reduced teachers' work hours. Instead of getting off at 2pm, teachers are allowed to leave at 12.30pm.

A primary teacher from a Sharjah school said they were given a break until March 12.

"We are given off till March 12 but have been asked to resume work for at least a week and then we will be informed about the next week," she said.

Others do video-conferencing

On the other hand, several schools have also resorted to using web conferencing as a way to communicate with the teachers.

A Sharjah-based teacher said: "Our live managers and I had a chat online over the upcoming online curriculum, and the status of students who were academically struggling."

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai