Sharjah private school pupils back to in-person classes by end of October

Cautious return to normality for pupils in the emirate

All pupils at Sharjah private schools will be back in the classroom by October 31. Antonie Robertson / The National

Sharjah has announced that all pupils in private schools will return to in-person classes by the end of October.

Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), the emirate's private school regulator, said on Thursday that the move will begin in phases.

The announcement came after an assessment of the situation by Sharjah's Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee.

Individuals with health conditions are exempt from the decision.

All schools will be assessed to ensure they are safe for pupils to return to.

“The co-operation of schools’ administrations and parents will help guarantee a safe and full return of direct learning,” said Sharjah Police chief Maj Gen Saif Al Shamsi, who is also head of the crisis and disaster management team.

“The great efforts by relevant authorities to overcome the pandemic and the safety protocols in place as well as the decline in cases have played a significant role in achieving this decision.”

SPEA said it has prepared for pupils’ complete return to direct education.

“Adhering to safety rules in order to avoid a disruption of pupils’ full return to schools, is a shared responsibility,” it said.

Most pupils have been returning to the classrooms as the UAE cautiously emerges from the pandemic.

Schools prepares for the new term - in pictures

Staff cleaning the play area at Brighton College Dubai. Pawan Singh/The National

Brighton College Dubai in Al Barsha South started a cleaning drive in preparation for the new school year.

Thermal cameras have been installed at the entrance at Brighton College Dubai.

Simon Crane, headmaster at Brighton College Dubai, shows visitors being scanned by the thermal camera installed at the entrance.

Cleaning staff disinfecting the play area.

No entry without mask stickers are pasted outside classrooms at Brighton College Dubai.

Simon Crane, Head Master at Brighton College Dubai, is overseeing the cleaning drive before the new academic year.

Staff cleaning the doors, classrooms and corridors at Brighton College Dubai.

No entry without mask stickers pasted outside the classrooms of Brighton College Dubai.

Staff cleaning the doors, classrooms, corridors at Brighton College Dubai before pupils returning on August 29.

Deep cleaning and sanitisation takes place before pupils return to on-site learning.