Coronavirus: From face masks to iPads, how pupils are preparing for a first day back at school in a pandemic

This academic year will see some new essentials, like masks and children's own stationery

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  Twins Ghazal (left) and Yara Ghnimat pictured shopping for masks at Mall of the Emirates before their return to school earlier this month. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The Ghnimat family shops for back-to-school equipment at Mall of the Emirates. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dorsai Khaghani says she spent hundreds of dirhams on colourful face masks for her five-year-old daughter Karla. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Patricia, aged 6, with her newly purchased face masks at the LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

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  Masks on sale at Claire's Accessories in Mall of the Emirates. Retailers said they had sold thousands of child-sized masks in recent days. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Children's face masks and face sheilds for sale at LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

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  Visa Singh with parents Vijai and Sarika pictured shopping for back to school supplies. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The Ubaldo family were among the many families to spend hundreds on masks and gloves, along with the usual back to school supplies. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A shopper passes sale posters at Mall of the Emirates. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Children's face masks and face sheilds for sale at LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

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  Children's face masks and face sheilds for sale at LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

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  A girl with a face mask on passes a mannequin promoting face mask sales at the LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

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  Children's face masks and face sheilds for sale at LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

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  Children's face masks for sale at LC Waikiki shop in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

Tens of thousands of children across the Emirates will return to classrooms from Sunday after months spent learning at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Authorities have introduced a host of measures to ensure the safety of pupils and staff alike ahead of an academic year unlike any other.

In Abu Dhabi many, but not all, pupils will be able to reunite with classmates and teachers in only a matter of days.

Those in kindergarten or foundation stage two to year six will initially be allowed on campus, with the rest of the years expecting to start four weeks later.

In Dubai, all grades will return to school, and school regulators in other emirates have not confirmed which years will attend campus from the first day on Sunday.

Parents well used to picking out uniforms, shoes and pencil cases ahead of the first day back at school are busy stocking up on masks and other essential items for a new era of education.

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  ‘We Miss You’ banner posted on the boundary wall of the building. Pupils are being welcomed back after more than five months.

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  The Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park will welcome back 1,230 pupils on August 30. 'The National' takes a look at the Covid-19 precautionary measures taken to ensure staff and pupil safety. Campuses are beign reopened after more than five months of closure. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National

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  The entrance of the school will soon include thermal scanners. There are dedicated entry and exit points for primary and secondary sections.

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  Storage units have been placed at a distance to prevent gathering.

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  Tables in the canteen area are distanced by two metres.

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  Markings have been placed in hallways throughout the school to encourage social distancing.

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  A total of 130 automatic hand sanitisers have been fitted across the school.

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  Desks inside classrooms have been distanced and only two pupils per table will be allowed.

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  Posters promoting good hygiene are placed in hallways and different areas of the school.

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  Partitions are placed in Year 1 classrooms.

But what do they need to buy this year? And what should pupils leave at home?

The National explains.

What do pupils need to bring?

Everything from how the school looks to what pupils have to wear is set to change.

Schools have been told to ensure distancing of 1.5m between all pupils, and most children, grades year two and above, will have to wear masks.

Schools have advised pupils to bring at least two masks with them to wear each day.

Current regulations state pupils are not allowed to share paper, so certain schools have opted to use iPads with stylus pens for some activities. Parents may need to buy the devices, but the schools using them will inform them about the requirements.

Pupils may also be asked to bring in their own stationery as they will not be allowed to share them with others. A kit should include items like scissors and glue. This, may, however, be provided by the school.

Toys and comforters will not be allowed.

What about school lunches?

Schools are not offering hot buffet-style food this year, and are advising parents to make lunches for their children to bring in each day. Pre-packed lunches may also be available.

Should uniforms be washed every day?

Yes, children will be expected to come to school in clean clothes each day. Parents can choose between cotton or disposable masks for their children. Cotton masks should be washed after each use and disposable masks should only be worn once.

Nothing should be worn that cannot be washed each day, including blazers.

Is there anything else parents should consider?

Most parents will be dropping off and collecting their children from outside the school gates in Abu Dhabi. Parents of the youngest pupils will, however, be allowed onto campus. However, they will need a Covid-19 negative test result within the past 72 hours to enter the school.

What about testing for pupils?

In Abu Dhabi, only pupils in Year seven and above will need to be tested for the virus before they return, but they are not due back on campus for several weeks yet.

Parents must arrange for their children to have the test and share the result with the school, according to the regulator, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge has confirmed.

All pupils in Sharjah have to be tested. Dubai is not testing any children, nor is Ras Al Khaimah, where testing is mandatory for staff.