All students may physically return to private schools from Sunday (February 14) with a maximum number of 30 pupils allowed in a classroom, said the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), ahead of the resumption of face-to-face learning.
After two past deferments, students will be back for traditional classroom learning. And some of the grades will be returning after 10 months of remote learning.
In the policy updates for the new term, the ADEK noted that all students may physically return to school starting February 14 but because of capacity constraints, some schools may still not be able to welcome everyone back simultaneously.
ADEK has offered the option of e-learning, in the guidelines to be followed by parents for the new term.
“Your child can continue distance learning if this is your preferred learning mode. Parents must commit to a learning mode – distance learning or face-to-face – at the beginning of the term.”
The permitted capacity of students in a classroom has been raised.
“The maximum number of students allowed in one class has been increased from 15 to 30 students.”
All students aged 12 and above must take a Covid-19 PCR test to come to school. Masks are mandatory for students from Grade 1 and above. Inside the classroom, students will be seated 1.5 meters apart from each other.
Students and staff with chronic health conditions can come to school provided they obtain an approval note from a doctor and submit a signed risk undertaking form available at the school.
Parents are urged not to send children to school if they show any Covid-19 symptoms and have other signs of illness. Parents must provide at least two masks to their children, hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes and ask them not to share any objects with others inside the classroom.
A parent is allowed entry into the school by showing a negative PCR test result with a validity of less than 96 hours and a special icon ‘E’ on Al Hosn app.
School buses will be allowed to carry up to 66 per cent of the maximum capacity and by leaving an alternate seat empty to ensure social distancing.
Marking a return of outdoor activities, light athletic activities are permitted during the physical education hours while following safe distancing and wearing personal protective equipment.
Despite all the precautionary measures, if any Covid-19 positive case is identified then “all contacts of the infected person must self-isolate for 10 days, possibly including all members of their household as well”.
And if two or more positive cases are found, the school may be partially or fully shifted to remote learning for a minimum of 10 days.
All those who have been infected can return to the school after being in isolation if they have fully recovered, shown clinical improvement, i.e., relief from all symptoms and get negative results in two consecutive PCR tests.
Schools have expressed their readiness to welcome students tomorrow.
© Khaleej Times
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