Sharjah students to return to school next week

Schools in Sharjah are upbeat about welcoming students back on campus starting Sunday, September 27. The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) announced on Tuesday that schools will see a "gradual return" of its students as some will continue learning from home.

However, only a few students have opted for in-person learning. Pramod Mahajan, Principal of Sharjah Indian School, said: "Physical distancing stickers are in place and seating arrangements have been modified. Unfortunately, the number of students who have enrolled for on-site classes is in single digits."

As schools across the country reopened from the new academic year on August 31, the SPEA said education institutes in the emirate would continue 100 per cent e-learning for four weeks. The schools will be seeing students on campus about six months after they were closed as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19.

All school staff and students aged above 12 are required to have a Covid-negative test before returning.

Educators told Khaleej Times that they were "eagerly awaiting" the return of students.

Mahajan said: "Staying at home and learning for extended periods of time cannot be a long-term solution. Everyone adapted well to distance learning, but schools are ready to welcome students back with all the relevant safety precautions in place. We've already had one round of Covid-19 tests, by tomorrow or day after another round of tests will take place for our school staff and all students above 12."

The principal said school nurses have been trained to deal with all emergencies by hospital staff.

Arogya Reddy, Principal, Ambassador School Sharjah, said 15 per cent of students at the school have opted for hybrid learning - a mix of in-person and online classes.

"Even on Tuesday, all the schools' health and safety officers had a meeting with the SPEA, detailing their preparedness. I am optimistic that in the coming days, more students would get the confidence for physical classes. Offices have also reopened, so parents need to return to work."

Asma Gilani, Principal-CEO, GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah, said: "We have ensured all necessary steps have been taken to provide the highest levels of sanitisation and cleanliness. Our children will have a unique 'back to school' experience with masks and social distancing in place - an experience they will be able to add to their treasure trove of memories of school!"

nandini@khaleejtimes.com