Sheikh Mohamed urges school pupils to dream big in classroom broadcast

President's message to never stop learning heralded the new school year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

President Sheikh Mohamed had a message for pupils and teachers in the first week of the new academic year.

“I urge you to dream big and to never stop learning,” he said to pupils in schools around the UAE. His audio message was sent on Tuesday to children as they returned to their classes after the summer break.

He urged pupils to excel and be determined, and spoke of the role of schools in nurturing young people’s ambitions.

He also spoke of the efforts and commitment of teachers and said they were invaluable to the UAE.

“My children, dreams and ambitions are an important part of life. Your schools will help you nurture your dreams; they are the place where you can imagine what your futures will look like. I urge you to dream big and to never stop learning,” said Sheikh Mohamed.

“I urge you to excel, be determined, set goals, realise your ambitions, and never stop trying. Invest your time in things that would benefit you, your families and your communities.

“When we talk about education, we don’t only mean your time in school. Education is a great pursuit that can only be accomplished with the efforts of families and parents, alongside our society and our countries’ institutions, to help us achieve our goals and ambitions.

“We are proud of you all. Proud of what you will become and what you will accomplish. May God bless you all.”

A pupil from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of class after summer break. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils across the Emirates returned to school on Monday.

In Dubai, some schools held events for pupils. They included flash mobs at The Indian High School, a treasure hunt at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, and a superhero day at Citizens Schools.

Head teachers and pupils at private schools in the capital on Monday said they were happy that schools had opened with fewer social restrictions as Covid-19 cases decline steadily.

Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge announced protocols for private and charter schools and nurseries and said there would be no physical distancing requirements.

In the absence of bubbles, pupils and teachers are permitted to interact with each other and use different parts of a school building.