All pupils can return to Abu Dhabi private school classrooms from January. The move was announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Tuesday. It said the decision was approved by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee and the Department of Education and Knowledge. The decision means a long-awaited return to the classroom for the remaining pupils studying remotely since March following the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the country. The department will now work with all schools to ensure a smooth process in January in adherence to strict safety measures. The schools have been asked to survey parents and pupils to gauge their interest in continuing with distance learning model versus a physical return to classrooms. Adek has advised all schools to remain flexible ahead of the new term. Parents will have the choice to switch to their preferred learning model for two weeks once classes resume in January. The regulatory body is also working with health authorities to carry out Covid-19 tests for pupils ahead of their return to school. Details about the testing process and frequency will be announced at a later stage. Pupils at schools across the UAE have been returning under a staggered plan since August. Now private school pupils in years seven to nine – or from about the age of 11 to 14 – will be returning to school in January 2021. The pupils have been studying online since schools closed in early March. Most other pupils have returned to in-person classes. The department has not yet confirmed if pupils returning in January will need to undergo Covid-19 tests.
