Dubai American Academy tour

The National
  • Dubai American Academy has 2,600 pupils enrolled, but only half will return to campus on August 30 as a Covid-19 precautionary measure. The remaining will continue with distance learning. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai American Academy has 2,600 pupils enrolled, but only half will return to campus on August 30 as a Covid-19 precautionary measure. The remaining will continue with distance learning. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
  • Anyone entering the campus from any entry point is greeted with a thermal camera.
    Anyone entering the campus from any entry point is greeted with a thermal camera.
  • Thermal cameras are placed in different areas of the school to monitor the temperature of pupils and staff.
    Thermal cameras are placed in different areas of the school to monitor the temperature of pupils and staff.
  • Face masks are mandatory while on campus.
    Face masks are mandatory while on campus.
  • More than 100 automatic hand sanitisers are fitted across the school.
    More than 100 automatic hand sanitisers are fitted across the school.
  • Stickers on the floor are placed as a reminder for physical distancing.
    Stickers on the floor are placed as a reminder for physical distancing.
  • The arrows on the ground are meant to represent the traffic flow to prevent a crowd and encourage physical distancing while in hallways.
    The arrows on the ground are meant to represent the traffic flow to prevent a crowd and encourage physical distancing while in hallways.
  • The stickers are being placed across the school.
    The stickers are being placed across the school.
  • This is a grade 8 classroom, where tables are kept at a distance. It is a similar scene in all other classrooms.
    This is a grade 8 classroom, where tables are kept at a distance. It is a similar scene in all other classrooms.
  • The gym and pool locker rooms have been transformed into a Covid-19 isolation ward. This was done by the school in the hope that it will be used as a "last resort" in case a staff member or pupil falls ill.
    The gym and pool locker rooms have been transformed into a Covid-19 isolation ward. This was done by the school in the hope that it will be used as a "last resort" in case a staff member or pupil falls ill.
  • The isolation ward is meant to be identical to the ones in hospitals and prevents contact between the patient and people on the outside.
    The isolation ward is meant to be identical to the ones in hospitals and prevents contact between the patient and people on the outside.
  • Only the patient and the nurse will be allowed inside the isolation ward.
    Only the patient and the nurse will be allowed inside the isolation ward.
  • Nurses wear full personal protective equipment while seeing patients.
    Nurses wear full personal protective equipment while seeing patients.
  • Pupils in the primary section will be told the nurses in protective wear are "astronauts", so they "do not feel afraid" if and when getting checked.
    Pupils in the primary section will be told the nurses in protective wear are "astronauts", so they "do not feel afraid" if and when getting checked.
  • There is a back-up isolation ward and room to build more.
    There is a back-up isolation ward and room to build more.
  • Pupils that will be distance learning from home will be able to join classrooms virtually through cameras placed in each room.
    Pupils that will be distance learning from home will be able to join classrooms virtually through cameras placed in each room.