Almost half of parents in Abu Dhabi support return to the classroom

Education authorities received more than 158,000 responses to a survey gauging views on back-to-school plans

A raft of measures will be in place to protect the school population, including physical distancing practices. EPA

Almost half of parents in Abu Dhabi support plans to reopen schools in September, according to a survey carried out by the emirate's private education regulator.

More than 158,000 people responded to the wide-ranging poll from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) on its back-to-school strategy.

The anonymous survey found 45 per cent of those parents backed a full return to the classroom, while 34 per cent preferred to continue distance learning.

The remaining 21 per cent were uncertain of which education method they favoured at this stage.

We fully understand that parents still harbour some concerns about a safe return to school

Schools closed their doors in March as authorities sought to stem the spread of Covid-19, with remote learning put in place in order to complete the academic year.

On Wednesday, Adek confirmed pupils and teachers must take Covid-19 tests prior to their return to school, while pupils over the age of 6 must wear masks throughout the school day.

“We are committed to ensuring the safest possible return to in-classroom education for students and teachers and the guidelines, aligned with global best practice, take into account every aspect of school operations,” said Amer Al Hammadi, an undersecretary at Adek.

“Following an in-depth analysis of responses, we are now better positioned to help schools ensure their planning process for reopening is well-informed and supported by data and insights from their own parent community.

The first thermal gate has been installed at the school that can measure the temperature of hundreds of children passing through it quickly. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

All desks in the classrooms have a distance of two metres. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Plastic screens have been installed in the cafetaria to separate pupils. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Markings on each step will help pupils remember not to get close to each other. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

There are marking all around the school to remind pupils to maintain social distancing. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Several basketball hoops have been installed for pupils.Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Lane markings will help pupils avoid coming in close contact with each other. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

There are hand sanitiser stations at regular intervals so that pupils can clean their hands more often. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Markings show separate exit and entry points. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Markings to remind pupils the importance of precautionary measures. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

There are hand sanitiser stations at regular intervals so that pupils can clean their hands more often. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

A hand sanitiser station outside a classroom. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Marking to follow social distancing at the school. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Markings to show separate entry and exit points. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Floor markings at the school. Courtesy: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

“We fully understand that parents still harbour some concerns about a safe return to school and we want to reiterate that distance learning provisions remain in place for all schools, irrespective of the reopening model they choose.

“As we continue to assess different scenarios and models for the new academic year, we remain in constant dialogue with federal and local authorities to ensure the health and wellbeing of all pupils, faculty, and staff.”

The questionnaire also gauged views on what modes of transport children will use to get to school and distance learning for pupils with special needs.

Forty per cent of respondents said they would use school buses in the new academic year, down from 46 per cent who took advantage of the service in the last school year.

The vast majority of parents (85 per cent) said they did not intend to move their children to a new school.

Schools in Abu Dhabi have been permitted to resume in-person classes from the beginning of the next academic year.

Adek has said its policies for reopening have focused on safety of operations, teaching and learning, staff and pupil well-being, and community support.

Schools have been encouraged to assist pupils in need through fee discounts, payment deferrals, and splitting term fees into monthly instalments.

Adek has requested schools to announce their reopening models by July 30.

Schools have been given the choice to allow children into school full time, in other words, daily; or on alternating days, for half days; alternating weeks; or a combination.