With the winter break almost over for UAE schools, education authorities have ensured that precautionary measures are in place — especially for students and staff who have travelled overseas over the holidays.
Stringent safety protocols apply, though quarantine rules may vary from one emirate to another. Here’s a list of rules for private schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), in cooperation with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), has shared a travel and health declaration form with all schools, which has also been distributed among all their staff and students.
All staff and students are required to provide information regarding their health status over the last 14 days regardless of the travel history, according to the DHA directive.
Those who have travelled overseas will have to present a negative PCR test result before returning to their campuses. Then, teachers and students shall be allowed to get back to on-site teaching or learning immediately, without having to go through any quarantine period.
Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA)
School principals on Wednesday received an advisory from the SPEA, stating that all students and teachers returning from overseas must undergo two weeks of home quarantine.
An official from the SPEA said they have been working with school managements in deciding the learning mode that would work best for their students when they officially start the new academic term on January 3.
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK)
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, in coordination with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), has approved remote learning for the first two weeks of the new school term.
Free Covid-19 PCR tests are available for all Abu Dhabi students aged 12 and above until December 31, according to ADEK. In an earlier announcement, the authority said a negative PCR test is mandatory for these students before they are allowed to attend face-to-face classes.
© Khaleej Times
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