Schools and nurseries across the UAE began reopening their doors on Monday as part of a staggered return, with strict safety rules in place.
School buses will also be in operation, bringing relief for parents after it was initially decided they would not run.
Parents have the flexibility to select in-person or remote learning and schools are taking a phased approach over several days. But the return marks a note of normality since distance learning was introduced more than a month ago because of the Iran war.
The National visited Dubai College on Monday, where about 300 pupils, from Years 11 and 13, stepped back into their classrooms.
Tomas Duckling, headmaster of Dubai College, described the return of in-person learning as “brilliant".
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Children arrive at Chubby Cheeks Nursery in Dubai, after some schools and education centres reopened their doors. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
Dubai College pupils are among those back in class for the first time since the start of the Iran war. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
Dubai College has reopened its doors, with safe zones set up for staff and students. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
Pupils and staff celebrate their return to Sunmarke School in Dubai. Photo: Fortes Education -
Regent International School principal David Williams welcomes pupils at the gates. Photo: Fortes Education -
Some pupils returned to in-person learning at Sunmarke School. Photo: Fortes Education -
Pupils return to the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, after a spell of remote learning. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Schools and nurseries across the UAE have started to reopen their doors as part of a staggered return. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Schools are taking a phased approach to the return of classroom learning. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Parents have the flexibility to choose in-person or remote learning for their children. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Protocols include establishing safe areas in classrooms and buildings. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The return to the classroom was the result of careful planning, education authorities say. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Schools switched to remote learning to ensure pupil safety, after Iran launched attacks on the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A teacher welcomes children back to class, as schools begin to reopen their doors. Chris Whiteoak / The National
“It's just so good to see kids smiling and wanting to be back," he said. "We had a live music performance by some of the kids because they missed one performance, so [it's been] absolutely joyous, I would say."
Mr Duckling said the school "decided to do a staggered approach" to the return of pupils, with the rest of the school to be welcomed back from Tuesday. He also praised the Knowledge and Human Development Authority for its support. “The guidance we've had from the KHDA has been really clear. We would rather not be in this situation, but it's been pretty smooth," he added.
“We would like kids to get back in school, we want to help these students, especially the examining groups, not be disadvantaged by this, so I think we will go above and beyond to do whatever it takes to help them. There has been a pretty heroic response from educators – and I don't just say our educators, I'd say the whole of the network. Our support staff have been pretty heroic.”
There was also a sense of relief among pupils. “It is good to be back to normal, to be able to see our friends and get back into lessons, as obviously we have exams to prepare for and things to look forward to in the future as well … we were all very excited," said Year 13 pupil Yorgen Engmann.
He said the move to online learning posed some challenges, but pupils were still able to cover what they needed to before exams begin next month. “I think it's very important that we're able to come back on to campus because I feel sometimes in the classroom you're able to learn better, you're able to collaborate with other people and sometimes that just aids you in ways you can't really get online," he said.
Fellow Year 13 pupil Tilly Black shared her enthusiasm for going back to the classroom. "I was honestly so excited to be back because it's been a long time. And to see my friends and see the teachers and just to get back into a familiar working environment," she said.
She said it was like being reunited with friends after a summer break. While the switch to online learning was challenging, her classmates soon got used to it. “Now we've got some internal exams in a couple of weeks – it's full steam ahead of preparation for those," she said.
Dubai Ruler hails return to classrooms
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent a message of hope to pupils returning to classrooms.
"Our sons and daughters, the students, resume in-person learning today across all our universities and schools after our education system has proven its exceptional capacity for full continuity amid the conditions that the region has endured," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.
"My message to the students, male and female: we are a nation that does not halt at challenges. We are a nation that does not cease learning and teaching. We are a nation whose journey does not stop and whose development does not falter. We are a nation that bets on you and builds its future with you, alongside you and for your sake."
Authorities across the UAE have set out strict safety protocols for schools and other educational institutions to open. Some schools and nurseries reopened classrooms on Monday as part of a staggered return.
One school that opened its doors to pupils again on Monday was Repton Abu Dhabi. “It has been wonderful to welcome our students back and to see the school filled with smiles and energy once again," said interim principal Stephen Davis.
"Our focus is on ensuring every child feels safe, supported and ready, and we are taking a gentle, considered approach to help them ease back into school life.”
The return to the classroom for many pupils was the result of careful planning, a senior figure from Dubai's education authority told The National last week.
“This return has been carefully and collaboratively prepared. For families who are not yet ready, you can continue with distance learning,” Dr Wafi Dawood, chief executive of the strategic development sector at the KHDA. “For those returning, know that your schools, early childhood centres and universities have worked hard to be ready to welcome you back safely.”
The protocols include establishing safe areas in classrooms and buildings, mapping evacuation routes, restricting large gatherings in schools and putting in place emergency drills for pupils and staff. Nurseries have asked teachers to prepare grab bags for children.
The Ministry of Education also instructed all schools to give parents the option to decide whether children would return to school or continue with remote learning.
It is a similar story for third-level with public and private universities set to resume in-person learning on Monday.
However, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said those institutions have “the flexibility to implement hybrid and distance learning models when needed, in accordance with approved regulations”.
Schools switched to remote learning after Iran launched missiles and drone attacks on the UAE on February 28. A ceasefire, first announced by US President Donald Trump on April 7, is set to end on Wednesday unless renewed.
The Ministry of Education on Thursday announced schools would re-open on April 20. As part of the emergency preparedness, schools are also ready to transition from in-person to remote learning.
“I see it as our job as part of the school community to cater for the needs of all,” David Williams, principal of Regent International School in Dubai, previously told The National. “Families have reacted in different ways to this situation. A majority of our families have stayed but we have to cater for those families that have made that choice to go back to their own countries or work remotely from a different space.”
