Some Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted and a shorter week but longer days will await pupils as 2022 ushers in a new academic term.
From Monday, January 3, all pupils across the Emirates are due to return to classrooms for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.
School galas, sport sessions and after-school activities and art classes will resume at many schools as part of a steady recovery from the worst of the pandemic.
Here, The National takes a closer look at the biggest changes for pupils, parents and teachers when lessons resume following the winter break.
New schedules and new timetables
The biggest task for schools at present is to reschedule their timetables and breaks to fit within a four-and-a-half day week, said heads of schools.
Public and private schools will adopt the UAE's new four-and-a-half day week, which will start on a Monday and finish with a half day on Friday, from the start of the new term.
Rob Commons, principal at Uptown International School in Dubai, said some schools were going to have to rewrite their entire timetable.
“We have taken a very simple approach. Our school day at the moment has six one-hour lessons and we're shortening our lessons on a Friday to six 40-minute periods instead, which allows us to finish at noon,” said Mr Commons.
“The pupils get the same number of lessons, they just get 20 minutes' less input from the teacher in some of their subjects once per week.”
The school will also use a flipped learning model and pupils will be asked to do some reading in advance.
“I'm really in favour of this move. I've worked in Brunei where they have been doing this (four-and-a-half day week) for a number of years at international schools, and it's so much more effective for staff and pupil well-being,” he said.
At American Community School in Abu Dhabi, superintendent Monique Flickinger said they were working to develop a new schedule to align with the new working week.
She said the school had a temporary schedule in place that allowed time to create a more detailed and effective one for the new term.
Longer school days for some pupils
The new-look week may mean longer school days for some pupils.
Some schools in Sharjah have confirmed they will be extending hours to meet curriculum needs.
Private-school pupils in Sharjah will attend school from Monday to Thursday, Sharjah Private Education Authority has said, in line with the emirate's switch to a four-day week for the public sector.
Vandana Marwaha, principal at Delhi Private School Sharjah, said the school would extend hours from Monday to Thursday.
“There's no other way out, because six hours of the fifth day will now be adjusted in the four days,” said Ms Marwaha.
“At present, pupils attend school between 7.15am and 1.30pm. But, next term they may have to stay back in school for an extra 90 minutes from Monday to Thursday.”
Distance learning comes to an end across all schools
All public and private school pupils across the UAE will return to schools for in-person classes for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dubai was the first emirate in the UAE to put an end to distance learning on October 3.
School buses will also operate at 100 per cent capacity, but operators must ensure staff and pupils on board wear masks and there is proper ventilation.
It is a major step forwards in the UAE's fight against Covid-19.
Schools have more after-school programmes
Schools will expand after-school programmes and activities for pupils in the new term.
Ms Flickinger said American Community School would be adding after-school programmes.
“Options for kids after school were restricted. We have after-school athletics and games for the younger children and art classes,” she said.
“Usually we have a longer waiting list than we have spots available. That's the case right now. We're just trying to find additional instructors that can accommodate the demand that we have.”
She said the school was also looking forward to opening its cafeteria in the new term.
Emma Shanahan, principal at Aspen Heights British School in Abu Dhabi, said considering the general well-being of pupils was key.
“We're delighted to see sports back in schools again, because that's really key to not only pupil's health and well-being but also to their social and emotional learning,” she said.
The school will use external providers to offer sports activities on Sundays, with football, archery and swimming on offer.
School assemblies, annual days, and international days return
Galas, international days and in-person assemblies will be back at schools in the January term.
Ms Flickinger said her school would organise a gala on March 11.
This would be the first time they would be able to host the event since the beginning of the pandemic.
“It will be a celebration of all things ACS, where we take a moment to reflect and honour somebody within the community that has been a supporter of the school. For our parents, it's a time to get together,” said Ms Flickinger.
Ms Shanahan said in-person assemblies would resume at her school.
Parents would be given advance notice when their child's class was having an assembly and they could come to school and watch the assembly. This would help parents become a part of their child's learning.
Annual days – which include celebrations and performances by pupils – will also be making a comeback.
Manju Reji, principal at India International School in Sharjah, said the school was hoping to organise an annual day with a limited number of adults invited and social distancing measures in place.
Uptown International School in Dubai is hoping to hold international days in February or March.
On international days schools celebrate the varied backgrounds and experiences of pupils.
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The%20Kitchen
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EDaniel%20Kaluuya%2C%20Kibwe%20Tavares%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKane%20Robinson%2C%20Jedaiah%20Bannerman%2C%20Hope%20Ikpoku%20Jnr%2C%20Fiona%20Marr%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Twin-turbocharged%204-litre%20V8%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20625%20bhp%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20630Nm%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh974%2C011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer
Four stars
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Belong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Michael%20Askew%20and%20Matthew%20Gaziano%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243.5%20million%20from%20crowd%20funding%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
Kandahar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ric%20Roman%20Waugh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EGerard%20Butler%2C%20Navid%20Negahban%2C%20Ali%20Fazal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
Killing of Qassem Suleimani