Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid looks forward to 'safe start' to school year for a million pupils

Most classes will resume next week with measures to protect staff and children

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was briefed on the government’s plans to bring pupils back to classrooms from next week. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid / Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said he looked forward to a safe start to the school year for a million pupils across the country.

The Prime Minister, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai made the comments when he met several ministers on Tuesday.

He was briefed by Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, and joined by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

“I heard from the Minister of Education about the latest preparations for the start of the next academic year,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.

“We look forward to a safe start and in accordance with the best safety standards for more than a million students within the education system in the Emirates.”

Most schools will reopen next week, though there are variations across the country.

In Sharjah, pupils of all ages must test negative for the coronavirus before returning to lessons, as must teachers.

In Abu Dhabi, all pupils over the age of 12 must be tested, though high school-age pupils will not be back in classes until late September or early October, under a staggered plan. All teachers will be tested.

In Dubai, education authorities said pupils would not have to be tested. All teachers are due to be screened this week.

“As we look forward to many students returning to school next week, we would like to confirm that Covid-19 PCR testing is not mandatory for students,” the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s private schools regulator, said on Tuesday.

A rule that pupils must wear masks throughout the school day is in force across the country. The move echoes the nationwide mandatory measure that masks must be worn in all public areas, except when eating or drinking.

Parents stock up on masks for kids – in pictures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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