• Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National
    Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National
    A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
    Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
  • A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National
    A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National
  • Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National
    Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National
  • Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.
    Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.

UAE

Education

Dubai private school pupils do not need PCR tests to return to class, say authorities

Physical distancing rules and face masks in indoor spaces remain compulsory

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

August 26, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: Sheikh Mohamed urges school pupils to dream big in classroom broadcast

Private school pupils in Dubai will not need to undergo a PCR test to return to class on the first day of term.

The latest guidelines from the Knowledge and Development Authority, which oversees private education in the emirate, state that there are no testing requirements.

An email sent to parents by the KHDA on Friday confirmed that existing health and safety policies at schools remained unchanged.

The email also informed parents that any updates on this would be communicated to them immediately.

Physical distancing will remain in place and people who have Covid-19 must isolate for 10 days. Face masks will remain compulsory indoors but are not required outdoors.

Pupils and staff who are close contacts of a person infected with the coronavirus but do not have any symptoms do not need to isolate and can attend school.

Abu Dhabi private school pupils aged 12 and above and staff will be required to take a PCR test before returning for the new academic year.

The emirate's Department of Education and Knowledge said a negative PCR test obtained no more than 96 hours before the first day of term on Monday must be presented.

These Covid-19 safety rules are in line with measures announced for government-run schools on Tuesday.

UAE pupils celebrate their GCSE results — in pictures

  • Rohan Radia receives his GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Rohan Radia receives his GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Thomas Bateson receives his GCSE results.
    Thomas Bateson receives his GCSE results.
  • Sarah (L) and Abdulla Alshamsi receive their GCSE results with their mother.
    Sarah (L) and Abdulla Alshamsi receive their GCSE results with their mother.
  • Sofiya Zhuravleva.
    Sofiya Zhuravleva.
  • Raaid Baloch.
    Raaid Baloch.
  • Rohan Radia (L) and Lily Sandilands.
    Rohan Radia (L) and Lily Sandilands.
  • Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil).
    Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil).
  • Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil) receive their GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
    Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil) receive their GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
  • Mariam Morsi receives her GCSE results.
    Mariam Morsi receives her GCSE results.
  • Riley George.
    Riley George.
  • Abdulla Alshamsi speaks to headmaster Simon Crane after receiving his GCSE results.
    Abdulla Alshamsi speaks to headmaster Simon Crane after receiving his GCSE results.
  • A student receiving her GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
    A student receiving her GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
  • Henry Fliss.
    Henry Fliss.
  • Sofiya Zhuravleva is overcome with emotion.
    Sofiya Zhuravleva is overcome with emotion.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Essentials

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.

The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.

 

Company Profile

Company name: Fine Diner

Started: March, 2020

Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and food delivery

Initial investment: Dh75,000

Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp

Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000

Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

While you're here
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Saudi National Day
The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Updated: August 30, 2022, 9:12 AM
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