Gulf News, Wednesday, Aug 26, 2020 | Muharram 7, 1442
Sheikh Mohammed reviews preparations for the new school year
Emirates:
Parents of school students have the choice to choose between their
children’s attendance and distance learning in the first semester.
This was announced as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was briefed
on the latest preparations for the new school year 2020-21, during a meeting
on Tuesday.
“The safety of our students and teachers is our priority. We look forward to
a safe and successful start of the new school year,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Student attendance will be increased gradually. It will first be limited to
25 per cent, then 50 per cent, 75 per cent before increasing it to 100 per
cent under continuous follow-up and supervision in cooperation with all
partners.
Combined approach
Higher education will be a combination of distance learning and on-campus
education. Personal attendance is limited to a few number of cadres and
students whose physical presence is required for practical and research
laboratories, clinical training and examinations.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed reviewed plans, mechanisms and latest
preparations for the new academic year, which will kick off with the
implementation of a slew of health protocols and precautionary measures by
various educational institutions amid the coronavirus pandemic to ensure the
safety of students and teachers.
“We are confident in the ability of our educational institutions, leadership
and our qualified team in the education field to manage the dossier of
education optimally,” he said.
Members in attendance
The meeting was held in the presence of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Mohammed
Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
The meeting was attended by Hussein Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of
Education, and Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Higher Education.
Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed the plans and health measures and protocols
adopted to ensure a healthy learning environment for both teachers and
students and ensure the sufficient functioning of the learning process.
Health protocols approved include conducting PCR test for COVID-19, keeping
social distancing, measuring temperature, sterilisation and disinfection,
nutrition and securing transport services.
Training
They also include training and awareness, adopting a restrict control and
inspection plan and activating the ministry’s operations room for 24 hours.
The plan aims to ensure the best optimal for return the safety of students
and administrative and educational staff across educational institutions
“More than one million students in UAE schools are looking forward to starting a
new school year. Our mission is to provide them with an integrated learning
environment that meets the highest safety standards and guaranteed that they had
a quality education,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
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