His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited the offices of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) where he was briefed about the plans and preparations for the new school year by Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the KHDA, including the precautionary measures and guidelines that will be implemented in schools when they reopen on 30 August for the next academic year.
In a message on Twitter following the visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said, "I was briefed on preparations for the new school year. I emphasized the importance of implementing necessary measures to protect the health and safety of students and staff at all Dubai schools, and ensure a smooth resumption of their academic journeys."
Private schools in Dubai have the option to choose an approach suitable to them, depending on the size, location and number of students. Schools can accommodate students in one shift or morning and afternoon shifts and have the option of providing either partial or full distance learning alternatives depending on their agreement with parents. They are encouraged to implement innovative solutions to ensure high safety standards in the current environment. Consultations with parents, teachers and students will be key to ensure the best approach.
Dr. Abdulla Al Karam said that safeguarding everyone’s safety remains KHDA’s top priority, and that the KHDA is collaborating with private schools to ensure an enriching and secure environment for students.
Precautionary measures that should be followed in schools include screening all students and staff for temperature at entry points to the school, maintaining physical distance as recommended by relevant health authorities, reducing the head-count capacity in classrooms, limiting gatherings and suspending group activities such as school celebrations and sports events, organising and managing the students’ working day including mealtimes to avoid high concentrations of students in one place, sterilising the school building, classrooms, laboratories and other facilities regularly.