Sharjah schools move to remote learning for rest of month

In-person lessons halted as Covid-19 case numbers rise

Diana Parva, a French teacher, talks to the class of grade 11 at Victoria English School in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils of grade 11 go to their class on the first day of the school reopening in 2020. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils pass through the disinfection tunnel at the Victoria English School in Sharjah last year. Pawan Singh / The National

A staff member checks the temperature of a pupil at the entrance gate at the Victoria English School in Sharjah in 2020. Pawan Singh / The National

School principal Keith Sykes (R) talks to pupils at Victoria English School in Sharjah on the first day of school in 2020. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils stand in a socially distanced queue at the Victoria English School in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

Sharjah authorities suspended in-person lessons at private schools and nurseries across the emirate until the end of the month.

Staff and pupils will resume distance learning in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19.

The decision was made on Thursday by Sharjah's Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Team with the Ministry of Education and Sharjah Private Education Authority.

Officials will review Covid-19 case numbers while the directive is in place.

Sharjah's Private Education Authority said distance learning would commence from Sunday.

"During this period, members of the committees and SPEA will closely monitor health indicators and developments of the Covid-19 situation in the country to take necessary actions that take into account the health and safety of students, teachers and staff in Sharjah educational institutions," Sharjah Private Education Authority said.

"As for the administrative staff, teaching and other staff’s physical attendance, it will be left at the discretion of the educational institution, while continuing to adhere to the precautionary measures in place, including undergoing a PCR test every two weeks.

"SPEA also urged educational, administrative, and technical staff in all schools to take the vaccine during this [period]  ... to ensure a safe return to face-to-face and blended education."

On Friday, Ajman 's crisis authority and the Ministry of Education halted face-to-face learning.

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are scheduled to go back to classrooms on Sunday after their return for the start of the new term in January was delayed twice because of concerns over infection rates.

Sharjah officials said the move was been made to safeguard the health of the school population.

The UAE has reported a record number of daily deaths among Covid-19 patients three times in the past six days, peaking with 18 fatalities on Thursday.

Daily case numbers have stayed above 3,000 for much of the year after averaging between 1,200 and 1,300 a day in December.