Covid-19: UAE schools are fully prepared to return to normal-News

As UAE schools will reopen at the end of August, educators and parents are paying attention to the mental and emotional well-being of children when they return to school after summer vacation-many of them for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

The school is making every effort to make them feel safe and secure on campus, even if the safety protection of the Covid-19 vaccine for children and young people (3-17 years old) is the key to creating a safe learning environment for school children-classroom learning .

Most students look forward to attending school in person after the summer vacation, although some students prefer virtual learning or both.

Mahira Zakiuddin, a college consultant at GEMS Wellington College in Silicon Oasis, said: “It is important to make students who return to school feel safe and assured that adults in the building will prioritize their health and well-being. Normalize and encourage uncertainty. It’s also important for students to talk to trusted adults—whether at school or at home. At school, this can be the leadership, teaching staff, school counselor, or someone on the pastoral protection team.”

Zakiuddin added: “The UAE has always remained vigilant and provided guidance to schools on safety protocols. For the time being, wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands have effectively controlled transmission. This may be disappointing for children and important. It is through empathy to verify these feelings. Parents can use phrases such as “I hear you”, “I understand”, “I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you.”

“Before returning to school, it is very important for parents and guardians to have an understanding and knowledge of the true thoughts and feelings of their children. Once they have time to express their feelings candidly, it is important to remind our students that these practices are for everyone. Security. As a school community, we will continue to play a very important and courageous role in containing the virus.”

Therefore, parents are urged to solve this problem with compassion and empathy, so that their wards feel more empowered and better prepared for returning to school.

Abhilasha Singh, principal of Shining Star International in Abu Dhabi, said: “We are looking forward to returning to school in August. One meter is the minimum social distancing requirement, and we expect that as students return to school, the class size will increase. I ask parents to behave on the school. And faculty and staff are confident and urge them to send their children to school. The health and safety of students and teachers remains the most important.”

As Abu Dhabi mandates vaccinations for children over 16 years old, the school has urged parents to vaccinate children who have not yet been vaccinated in the next few days.

In addition, the principal of the capital urged all interested parties to read the “Adek Parent Guide” sent by the school.

“Parents should make full preparations for their children to go to school in the new semester. Children who have not attended school in person since the beginning of distance learning can be disguised at home. The children are energetic and excited quickly, forgetting that they need to be in school. Keep distance from your peers. I ask parents at home to emphasize the importance of complying with safety regulations and ensuring that children are prepared to go to school in person,” Singh added.

Sangita Chima, principal of Dubai Amity School, said: “Our school community is planning to reopen after the summer vacation. We have a very large campus. Some strategies that worked well in the last semester will continue, while redesigning learning spaces and using technology And adapting to safety regulations as an innovative function of a new lifestyle has been seamlessly implemented.”

Faculty and staff in most schools and a large number of students aged 16 and above have been vaccinated, and they now encourage all students 12 years and above to be vaccinated.

“This is a new chapter for parents, educators and students to feel safe and confident. Chima said that 100% of our school’s qualified employees are vaccinated. “Childhood and adolescence have gone through a lot of uncertainty. Change for the better. Vaccinating students will positively change the lives of our communities, accelerate learning and enhance mental health. It will open a new chapter of change to ensure the long-term future of the alpha generation,” she added.

Students and guardians are confident

Farheen Matheranwala, a Sharjah resident who is the parent of two children of Dubai Scholars, said: “I am very pleased that the government is considering the option of reopening sports schools. To ensure that my two sons start school in September, I am taking all precautions. To ensure their safety during school. In addition to giving them an extra pair of gloves, disinfectant and masks, I will also make sure that they eat healthy meals and go to school.

“I also started taking them to the park every day, just to make sure they are exposed to the surrounding environment and will not find it new once the school reopens. I have instructed my children to wash and disinfect their hands regularly even at school. In addition, they were told to wear masks throughout class hours, eat with their own lunch boxes, and maintain social distancing,” Farheen added.

Parents also reminded their ward that if they feel unwell or see other people unwell, they should immediately seek help from the teacher or school clinic.

Alyssa Noor Nazri, a grade 9 Malaysian student in Abu Dhabi, said: “I have been vaccinated against Pfizer. I received the second dose in June. Last school year, I mainly went to school on campus. However, sometimes, because of what happened in our school. I also studied the Covid-19 case online. Now, I really want to know more friends and see more and more people in the new school year, because I hope that more students will choose face-to-face in September this year learn.”

Indian expatriate Amatullah Arsiwala is a student of Al Diyafah High School. He said: “I am very happy to return to school and meet my friends and teachers. The most important thing is to feel the joy of returning to class. I have been vaccinated and will Make sure that I abide by the safety guidelines set by my parents, the school, and the government. I hope that the government’s announcement of returning to school in September will bring us joy.”

Prepare your child for school

Tell them

Children may be afraid of viruses, school restrictions, meeting classmates and teachers. Acknowledge that this is a difficult time for them and assure them that the school is doing its best to ensure their safety.

response

When we feel stressed or overwhelmed, we often use coping strategies. Exercising, yoga, breathing exercises or talking with friends or family are great for your child. Let your child know that it is normal to feel anxious about going back to school, and encourage them to accept it once a day, because thinking too far can make people feel overwhelmed.

Serve them

Young children may want to vent their experience of returning to school—their fear, anxiety, and joy. So serve them. Create spaces for conversation, such as walking, beach or cooking together to start a conversation. Don’t think they’re okay, because they don’t show any outward signs of worrying about pressure. Ask them things like: What do they like when they come back? Are there any troubles or challenges?

Be optimistic

Talk to your child about the positive aspects of returning to school. Meeting with friends and teachers is a period of months of being kept at home. After such a long period of isolation, play and study together. (Https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/)

Nandini Silka