All pupils in Abu Dhabi private schools return to in-person classes next week

Physical distancing in indoor areas scrapped but masks remain, emirate's education authority says

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  Key safety measures were in place at The British School Al Khubairat on January 31 as pupils returned. Victor Besa / The National

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  A pupil heads back to The British School Al Khubairat on January 31. Victor Besa / The National

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  Two young pupils return to in-person studies at Brighton College in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young learner heads to class at Brighton College. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Senior school pupils were welcomed back at Brighton College .Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Brighton College offered a warm welcome to returning learners. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Brighton College in Abu Dhabi is now able to offer in-person teaching for all of its age groups. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Physical distancing rules remain in place to keep the school population safe. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The familiar walk to school was back on the agenda on January 31. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young pupil prepares to reunite with classmates at Brighton College . Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A Brighton College learner makes his way to class. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A pupil returns to the Brighton College campus in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Many Brighton College Pupils were back on the school bus to start the week. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi marked another milestone moment on January 31. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils get set for in-person lessons at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A young learner makes his way to class at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A pupil is given some guidance on their return to The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  January 31 marked a first day back to school for thousands of pupils across the country. Victor Besa / The National

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  Safety remains paramount at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National

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  A pupil gets set for in-person teaching at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National

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  A young learner on the back to school trail. Victor Besa / The National

All Abu Dhabi private school pupils will return to face-to-face learning next week, said the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the emirate’s education authority.

Distance learning will no longer be an option at the emirate's private schools, but pupils can be exempted if they have an attested "high risk" medical report that confirms their inability to attend school in person.

Children return to school next week after the spring break for the last term of the current academic year.

Physical distancing measures in indoor areas have also been removed and unvaccinated pupils aged 16 and above can now return to school but have to provide a negative PCR test result every week.

Pupils and teachers who are close contacts of a Covid-19 case will have to take tests on days one and seven.

Adek made the announcements in a circular sent to all private and charter schools.

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  Back-to-school PCR testing gets under way at Biogenix Labs by G42 Healthcare, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. All Photos: Victor Besa / The National

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  Biogenix Labs staff are ready and waiting for the mass testing as schools reopen in the capital.

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  Children queue to be tested.

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  Sultan Al Marzooqi, five, gets his back to school PCR test.

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  The Solitario family get their PCR tests.

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  Biogenix Labs staff are ready to help in the fight against Covid-19.

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  Sarah Ahmad, 17, is tested before heading back to school.

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  A father takes his daughter for testing.

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  The Aragon family get their PCR tests.

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  Khamis Al Balooshi, 10, waits for his turn.

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  The Williams family get their PCR tests.

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  The youngest Al Marzooqi family member is all smiles after his test.

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  Mohamed Al Zahri, eight, is swabbed.

The new announcement came just weeks after Adek removed physical distancing requirements in outdoor areas for the second term.

Most schools in the country have the spring break until April 8 and pupils will return for classes on April 11, the first working day of the week.

Pupils in grades 1-12 will be required to wear face masks in indoor areas.

PCR test result validity will be 14 days for vaccinated pupils above 16 years of age, teachers, and staff, and 30 days for children below 16 years old.

The full return to in-classroom education will exclude pupils exempted on medical grounds and those showing Covid-19 symptoms, or when the school shifts to distance learning owing to closure requirements.

All pupils must present a 96-hour negative PCR test result on the first day of their return to school.

Free tests are available at Seha drive-through centres and private medical centres, and parents have been advised to contact the centres to confirm the availability of a free test for children.

Pupils aged below 12 may opt for a free saliva test at dedicated centres detailed on the Adek website.

The updated protocols remove classroom and bubble closure requirements, with a three-day school-level closure occurring only if 15 per cent of the student body test positive at the same time.

On completion of the closure period, close contact children must adhere to the testing schedule, while pupils who test positive will continue distance learning until they have completed their isolation.