• Children at Repton School, Al Barsha in Dubai.
    Children at Repton School, Al Barsha in Dubai.
  • Pupils returned to in-person lessons in Dubai this academic year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Pupils returned to in-person lessons in Dubai this academic year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Learners arrive for classes at Repton School in Al Barsha.
    Learners arrive for classes at Repton School in Al Barsha.
  • Zoe Woolley, headmistress at Repton Al Barsha, welcomes pupils as they arrive for school.
    Zoe Woolley, headmistress at Repton Al Barsha, welcomes pupils as they arrive for school.
  • Children follow Covid-19 safety protocols at Repton school.
    Children follow Covid-19 safety protocols at Repton school.
  • Repton Al Barsha school has 770 pupils back in class this term.
    Repton Al Barsha school has 770 pupils back in class this term.
  • Dubai schools have bounced back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Dubai schools have bounced back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • A young pupil holds her fathers hand as she arrives at Repton Al Barsha.
    A young pupil holds her fathers hand as she arrives at Repton Al Barsha.
  • Children listen to a class led by Mrs Wright at Repton Al Barsha.
    Children listen to a class led by Mrs Wright at Repton Al Barsha.
  • Nursery pupils at The British School Al Khubairat, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
    Nursery pupils at The British School Al Khubairat, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
  • Covid-19 safety measures are followed closely at The British School Al Khubairat, in Abu Dhabi.
    Covid-19 safety measures are followed closely at The British School Al Khubairat, in Abu Dhabi.

Five things UAE parents and pupils can expect in the new school term


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

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.

  • Groundbreaking Ceremony of ACS at Saadiyat Island. Right to left: Matt Ayoub, ACS Alumni; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, ACS Alumni; Sara Awad Issa Musallam, chairwoman of ADEK; Monique Flickinger, ACS Superintendent; and Sean Murphy, Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National.
    Groundbreaking Ceremony of ACS at Saadiyat Island. Right to left: Matt Ayoub, ACS Alumni; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, ACS Alumni; Sara Awad Issa Musallam, chairwoman of ADEK; Monique Flickinger, ACS Superintendent; and Sean Murphy, Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National.
  • Khaldoon Al Mubarak shared his own warm memories of studying at the school. Victor Besa / The National.
    Khaldoon Al Mubarak shared his own warm memories of studying at the school. Victor Besa / The National.
  • A rendering of the new American Community School site on Saadiyat Island. Photo: American Community School
    A rendering of the new American Community School site on Saadiyat Island. Photo: American Community School
  • The sprawling facility is due to welcome pupils in late 2023. Photo: American Community School
    The sprawling facility is due to welcome pupils in late 2023. Photo: American Community School
  • The impressive campus will feature a Fifa-sized football pitch. Photo: American Community School
    The impressive campus will feature a Fifa-sized football pitch. Photo: American Community School
  • The state-of-the-art site will eventually serve 1,600 pupils. Photo: American Community School
    The state-of-the-art site will eventually serve 1,600 pupils. Photo: American Community School
  • ACS is relocating after close to 50 years at its present site in Khalidiya. Photo: American Community School
    ACS is relocating after close to 50 years at its present site in Khalidiya. Photo: American Community School
  • A pupil shows a guest the photo exhibition at the ceremony. Victor Besa / The National.
    A pupil shows a guest the photo exhibition at the ceremony. Victor Besa / The National.
  • A photo exhibition at the ACS ceremony. Victor Besa / The National
    A photo exhibition at the ACS ceremony. Victor Besa / The National

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.

Monique Flickinger, American Community School superintendent. Victor Besa/The National.
Monique Flickinger, American Community School superintendent. Victor Besa/The National.

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
Manju Reji, principal at India International School

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.

HWJN
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre 

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40

Brief scores:

Southampton 2

Armstrong 13', Soares 20'

Manchester United 2

Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Alasdair%20Soussi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20300%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Scotland%20Street%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20December%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Ftravel%2F2023%2F01%2F12%2Fwhat-does-it-take-to-be-cabin-crew-at-one-of-the-worlds-best-airlines-in-2023%2F%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EEtihad%20Airways%20%3C%2Fa%3Eflies%20daily%20to%20the%20Maldives%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%20The%20journey%20takes%20four%20hours%20and%20return%20fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C995.%20Opt%20for%20the%203am%20flight%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20land%20at%206am%2C%20giving%20you%20the%20entire%20day%20to%20adjust%20to%20island%20time.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERound%20trip%20speedboat%20transfers%20to%20the%20resort%20are%20bookable%20via%20Anantara%20and%20cost%20%24265%20per%20person.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The%20specs
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Updated: December 19, 2021, 3:00 AM