Staff
Government announces a gradual return to full in-person learning in private schools for 2021-2022
DUBAI, Aug 23, 2021: Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis & Disaster Management announced that all Dubai private schools must end distance learning on October 3. The schools can gradually return to in-person learning from the first day of term on August 29, when students can return to classrooms or opt for remote learning.
According to the data released by the authority, more than 96% of Dubai’s teaching staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 while 70% of children aged 12-17 have been vaccinated.
#Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces gradual return to full in-person learning in private schools in 2021-22 academic year. pic.twitter.com/Korfh51yEe
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 23, 2021
The committee also mentioned in the directive allowing schools to carry out various activities in the premises provided that schools maintain strict adherence to all precautionary measures to safeguard the health of students and staff.
H.H.Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the meeting of the Supreme Commission where the decision was taken considering the high immunity achieved by the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The decision was made as a result of a detailed discussion with parents and school operators.
The decision is a proactive approach to accelerate Dubai’s return to normalcy, said H.H.Sheikh Mansoor. The authorities have been directed to work closely with Dubai’s education community to ensure that the precautionary measures and health protocols are followed, he further added.
Q&As related to keeping education community safe and on preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at private schools in #Dubai. https://t.co/RItmO27N2C @KHDA
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 23, 2021
As per the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) guidelines, vaccination is not compulsory. Eligible school staff who do not wish to have the vaccine must submit a negative PCR test each week. Students are not obliged to submit negative PCR tests. It also states that from the start of the academic year until September 30, parents will have the choice of distance learning or face-to-face learning for their children. From October 3, 2021, all teaching and learning at Dubai private schools will be face-to-face only. Students who would like to continue with distance learning after September 30, will have to provide a medical certificate issued by Dubai Health Authority.
