Schools in Dubai use break to roll out Covid-19 safety measures

Schools in Dubai use break to roll out Covid-19 safety measures

Almost 300,000 pupils are set to return to 209 private schools in Dubai in September.





From putting up signages, installing sanitisers/ hand washing stations to installing thermal screening camera, schools are doing all it takes to welcome pupils on campus "safely" in September.

Dubai's education regulator Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on Sunday released a set of health and safety guidelines for schools to follow when they reopen. The 118-point circular titled 'Protocols for the Reopening of Private Schools in Dubai' included steps such as wearing masks by all students aged six years and above, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance in classrooms and no class rotations among others.

Almost 300,000 pupils are set to return to 209 private schools in Dubai in September after schools closed in March to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Annie Mathew, principal at the Gulf Model School, Dubai, said that flexibility and accommodation are the key elements. "We plan to go in for a blended model, subject to approval from the KHDA, wherein a certain percentage of students will come to school and the others will learn from home simultaneously."

Paul Slater, vice president - operations and health, safety and environment, said Gems Education is fully prepared