Parents step in to help amid teaching shortages at Dubai school

Dubai College says community pulled together to ensure classes could start after several teachers tested positive for Covid-19

Parents, pupils and staff arrive at the Greenfield International School in Dubai Investments Park for the start of a new term after the winter break. Antonie Robertson / The National

January marked the first day of the new term and the start of the four-and-half-day week. Antonie Robertson / The National

Hundreds of schools in Dubai and Sharjah have received the green light to reopen for in-person classes. Antonie Robertson / The National

Regulators across the UAE have announced measures to ensure the safety of pupils. Antonie Robertson / The National

A sign shows Covid-19 safety rules at Greenfield International School. Antonie Robertson / The National

A school crossing guard controls traffic. Antonie Robertson / The National

Authorities recently announced that masks were now optional in outdoor areas of school. Antonie Robertson / The National

A child is dropped off at Greenfield International School. Antonie Robertson / The National

For those returning from overseas trips, some school management boards have also advised parents to book fit-to-fly PCR tests. Antonie Robertson / The National

Students arrive at the Jumeira Baccalaureate School in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Masks must still be worn indoors except for when sat down to eat. Pawan Singh / The National

It is expected that face masks will be mandatory in the classroom for the foreseeable future. Pawan Singh / The National

A member of staff at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Pawan Singh / The National

Parents, pupils and staff arrive at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Pawan Singh / The National

Several parents who are trained teachers have been pitching in at a local school after members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

Dubai College had faced the prospect of scaling back classes but was able to open as planned on Monday when parents volunteered to help.

Most of the 950 pupils at the Al Sufouh school, one of the city's oldest, were in classrooms for lessons.

We are immensely lucky to be supported by fully trained parent volunteers who help to cover lessons for teachers who are absent

Michael Lambert,
Dubai College

“Staff and pupils were smiling as they returned to school this morning and seem pleased to have returned for the new year,” principal Michael Lambert told The National.

“We have more than 92 per cent of pupils in school today and we continue to follow our health and safety protocols as before.

“We are immensely lucky to be supported by fully trained parent volunteers who help to cover lessons for teachers who are absent, and we are optimistic that it will be business as usual this term.”

About 30 private schools in Dubai had to close their doors and switch to distance learning for the first week of term due to Covid-19 cases in the community.

Among them were 26 of the 28 schools in the Gems Education group, along with Kent College Dubai and Victory Heights Primary School.

At the American Academy for Girls in Dubai, 75 per cent of the 498 pupils returned to in-person lessons on Monday.

Principal Lisa Johnson said the key for the next few weeks was going to be flexibility.

“In spite of the weather challenges and increasing Covid numbers, we have approximately 75 per cent of our students attending in person,” she said.

“I had many parents comment that they were grateful that we were open to support their work schedules and that they appreciated the increased safety protocols that we had in place.”

Dubai British School Emirates Hills also welcomed pupils through its gates on Monday morning.

Of the 1,180 pupils enrolled at the school, 80 per cent were able to make it to in-person lessons for term two.

Dubai College marks fifth decade: in pictures

Dubai College's reception building in 1988. All photos: Dubai College

Pupils during art class in the 1980s.

The school's first bus pictured in 1980. Dubai College is one of the city’s oldest schools.

The science room in the 1980s.

The old sports court in 1983.

Pupils conduct experiments in a science class.

Plot B141 in Umm Suqeim pictured in 1980.

Staff quarters on campus under construction.

The beach road outside campus in Umm Suqeim in 1980.

The physical education changing room block, in 1989.

The campus in 1994 after extensions in previous years.

The school's buses in the 1980s.

Dubai College's entrance in 2000.

The swimming pool on campus in 1984.

Foundations of the new campus block in 1982.

Dubai College as seen from above in 1982.

The Sixth Form Centre under construction in 1991.