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Students and school staff must present a 96-hour negative PCR result on the first day of the school year
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Abu Dhabi students are excited to return to school and meet friends as the new term begins on Monday after a two-month summer break.
Public school students returned to campus for physical education on August 29 for the 2022-2023 school year.
As a safety measure to keep the school community safe, both students and school staff are required to produce a 96-hour negative PCR result on the first day of reporting to the school.
Eleina D’silva, a Year 5 student at Abu Dhabi Indian School, said she was delighted to be back at school to meet friends after a two-month summer break.
“I’m excited to be back at school after a long summer,” De Silva told Khaleej Times.
“I love school because I look forward to learning new skills and having fun with friends. I look forward to sharing my vacation experiences with them and telling them I miss them so much.”
Chris Vinod, a Year 8 student at Abu Dhabi Indian School, said he was also delighted to be back at school.
“I’m so excited to be on campus and meet my friends and teachers,” he said. “We can talk, play and engage in many innovative and creative activities in the classroom.”
Neeraj Bhargava, Principal of Abu Dhabi Indian School, said that the first day of the new term went well and the children were very happy to return to school.
“Students met their friends after a two-month summer break and there was a lot of excitement everywhere. Students were eager to go to the playground and enjoy activities with friends during playtime,” he said, adding that more than 95 percent of students in Report to school on the first day.
“Existing Covid protocols are fully followed and school buses are running smoothly to pick up students to and from school,” Bhargava said.
Al Basma British School principal Allison McDonald said attendance on the first day of the new term was high and the children were delighted to be back at school after a long summer break.
“Parents, staff and students have all embraced slightly more relaxed Covid protocols and are happy to be able to resume almost normal operations,” she said.
“We look forward to hosting events and educational visits and reintroducing after school enrichment programmes and competitive sports. As always, parents have been very supportive as they work with new Covid regulations and have been very patient as we review Al Hosn and PCR results.”
MacDonald noted that for children 12 and older, PCR test results are checked at gates and on entering buses to make sure they are green and to make sure the test results are less than 96 hours old.
The principal pointed out that the staggered start of the school year and different grades returning to school on different days ensured the smooth start of the new school year.
“However, it has been a challenge this year to ensure the revised bus routes comply with the new Department of Transport (DoT) regulations,” she said.
“As travel times are reduced from the previous 75 minutes to a maximum of 60 minutes, all bus routes will have to be reorganized and more buses sourced and prepared for the start of the semester.”
Covid Protocols for Student Safety
George Mathew, Principal and CEO of GEMS United Indian School, said students were beaming and staring as they met teachers and friends on the first day of the new term.
“To ensure strict adherence to Covid protocols, students are required to load their negative PCR reports into the GEMS-designed ERP portal Phoenix prior to school,” he said.
“In addition, students brought a coloured hard copy with them before boarding. All entrance areas are equipped with thermal cameras to monitor the temperature of students. Mask wearing is strictly monitored and spare masks are provided for all teachers, Just in case students need to be replaced.”
Mathew noted that teachers and administrative teams must also present their Al Hosn app before visiting school facilities.
“Distancing protocols and instruction stickers are in place across the school. Teachers and student leaders are trained to report symptomatic students to school nurses,” he said.
According to the principal, 76 percent of students attend school on their first day. “The cards were made to make students feel comfortable and welcome to their new school. There was also a class welcome board,” he said.
“KG students were overjoyed and took part in a day of activities where they explored new play areas, showcased their summer projects, and participated in music and sports classes.”
Updated Covid protocols for new school year
UAE authorities last week announced an updated set of Covid-19 safety protocols for school students, including:
- Students 12 years of age and older and administrative and educational staff must provide a negative PCR test result within 96 hours of the first day of school.
- Periodic PCR testing is not required thereafter. However, symptomatic students will need to be tested.
- Masks are still mandatory in enclosed spaces, but social distancing is no longer mandatory in schools and buses, according to a government spokesman. School management and bus operators can implement distancing measures as they see fit.
- Distance learning will be offered to students who test positive for Covid-19.
- Those with symptoms of respiratory illness can study remotely until they have PCR test results.
- Thermal screening is not required if a student with a higher temperature is staying away from school and being tested for COVID-19. If they test negative, they will need to apply for sick leave.
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