Schools in the Capital are set to welcome students of all levels back to classrooms on January 3.
When the Capital’s private schools reopen on January 3, only 15 students shall be allowed in one classroom, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has said in its latest set of guidelines.
Schools can welcome students of all levels back to classrooms but by following the necessary precautionary measures amid the pandemic, Adek said.
“The maximum number of students per class is 15 with social distancing at 1.5 metres and mandatory masks for Grade 1 and above. Bubbles for KG remain at a maximum of 10. The maximum of 15 only applies to areas where the students are socially distancing and wearing masks,” it clarified.
On August 30, schools in Abu Dhabi had started receiving students in phases along with the option of online learning for the first semester of the academic year. The second semester will start on January 3. And in its latest Private Schools Reopening Policies and Guidelines, Adek noted that the school should be divided into three to four macro-bubbles for all staff and students across grades.
“There should be absolutely no mixing of spaces outside of these macro-bubbles, i.e. an art teacher may teach both Grade 1 and Grade 3 classes and therefore would be assigned to a larger macro-bubble encompassing other Grade 1 and Grade 3 teachers and students. If there was an incident, this would allow for the isolation of only that macro-bubble for testing and further action.”
What happens if someone tests positive in school
Students and staff of private schools who wish to physically attend the classes must have a negative Covid-19 test result. The tests will be provided free of charge until December 31 at drive-through centres managed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha). Students of determination and those opting for full-time distance learning are exempted from taking the test.
Meanwhile, schools have been briefed on how to deal with emergencies and reminded that they must immediately inform Adek and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health.
“In case of a single confirmed infection, all contacts must self-isolate for 14 days, possibly including members of their households. In the case of two or more confirmed cases, the school will move to distance learning for a minimum of 14 days,” Adek added.
