UAE schools reopen: Students return to campuses for in-person learning with safety measures

The buzz of young students has returned to campuses, with both teachers and pupils excited for in-person learning. Sharjah Indian School Director and Principal Pramod Mahajan welcomed students back, saying: “Dear students, good morning and welcome! Now we are face-to-face.”

He also expressed thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his support.

Jood, a Year 11 student at GEMS Metropole School, said it was a “real relief” to return to campus after weeks of online learning.

“Online learning was quite challenging, but being able to see friends and teachers again — that sense of human connection — makes a big difference,” she said.

Jood, who is in an exam year, added that the transition back to in-person learning has been made easier with support from teachers.

“I’m in Grade 11, which is an exam year, but our teachers have helped make this transition much easier to manage,” she said.

- Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said students across the UAE have resumed in-person learning in all universities and schools, after the country’s education system demonstrated exceptional resilience and full continuity amid recent regional challenges.

Writing on his X account, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Our sons and daughters, the students, resume in-person classes today across all our universities and schools, after our education system proved its exceptional ability to maintain full continuity under the circumstances the region has experienced,” he said.

Addressing students, he added: “We are a nation that does not stop at challenges. We are a nation that never stops learning and teaching. We are a nation whose progress does not pause and whose development does not stall.

The Vice President added: “We are a nation that believes in you, and builds its future through you, with you, and for you. 

Nav Iqbal, Principal, CEO and Brand Ambassador at GEMS Metropole School, said the school had clearly communicated key messages to parents, along with training sessions and feedback surveys ahead of reopening.

He said student attendance was higher than expected, with more than 80 per cent of students returning to campus this morning.

“Seeing that level of attendance reassures us that parents trust the safety measures and procedures we have put in place. Their children’s safety and security remain our top priority,” he said.

- Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Dr Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Principal of Al Khaleej International School, said the school held sessions with parents to explain expectations during alerts and emergencies in line with KHDA protocols.

She said parents were briefed on what actions to take if they are on the way to school during an emergency, stressing that it is the school’s role to educate families on the procedures to follow. The information was shared before reopening, she added.

“Feedback from parents is that they feel hard work is happening and they are comfortable sending their children to school,” she said, noting that there were no major concerns except for a small number of families abroad. “Only around 6 per cent of students are currently outside the country.”

Speaking as a parent herself, she added: “As a mother who just dropped off her child to school, I feel comfortable and confident in the country’s leadership and safety protocols. Students should be prepared for all scenarios; in case of any emergency, they need to know what to do. This is part of life skills and survival skills.”

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

Principal and Director Vandana Marwaha of Delhi Private School Sharjah tells us about the parents and students' positive reaction on coming back to school.

- Areeba Hashmi reporting from Delhi Private School, Sharjah

Timothy Roberts, Principal, Raffles world Academy, told Gulf News: “We will implement a hybrid model where designated teachers are assigned to deliver distance learning for students who are unable to attend in person.”

Vandana Marwaha, Principal and Director of Delhi Private School, spoke about why CBSE schools in Sharjah have been eager to resume in-person learning, highlighting strong readiness and enthusiasm for students’ return to campus.

"We are truly excited to welcome our students back to campus, it's a different kind of excitement," said Vandana Marwaha.

"Our students, teachers, and parents adapted remarkably well during online learning, and that resilience made the transition smooth. Now, with students back in person, we can implement the holistic development initiatives expected by SPEA and CBSE with far greater depth, and that's something we've all been looking forward to."

Senior sociology students at Al Khaleej International School said they are happy to be back on campus and reunited with friends as schools across the UAE resume in-person learning.

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

Sarah Isberg, Principal, and Tammy Elimlahi, Head of Primary, welcome students at Noya British School in Abu Dhabi. “It's been lovely seeing everybody this morning, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the day,” said Isberg.

- Afra Al Nofeli reporting from Tammy Elimlahi, Abu Dhabi

Sharjah Indian School Director and Principal Dr Pramod Mahajan greets students as they arrive for in-person learning on the campus in the Girls’ Branch in Ghubaiba.

“Today, we are welcoming students back 100% in person, from KG1 to Grade 12. We’re grateful to the UAE and Sharjah leadership, as well as the Sharjah Private Education Authority, for their continued support. Around 10,000 students are on campus today, and we’re fully back to face-to-face learning. Across both branches, the school has nearly 16,000 students. It’s encouraging to see that all students have returned to campus, with none opting for online learning. The enthusiasm is very high," he told Gulf News.

The school canteen at Delhi Private School, Sharjah is closed as part of the new safety measures.

DPS Sharjah Principal Vandana Marwaha told Gulf News that the canteen and the school grounds will remain closed for at least one week. Physical education classes and all other outdoor activities have also been suspended. “This is also aimed at training students and getting them accustomed to the safety protocols and drills,” she said.

- Areeba Hashmi reporting from Delhi Private School, Sharjah

Mai Yaghmour, Associate Principal, said it was “so exciting to be back,” adding that the return to campus has been highly anticipated by staff and students alike.

“I was just telling my colleagues I couldn’t sleep last night. You really miss that social interaction. There are so many things you can do online, which is teaching basics, but coming to school, being with students and collaborating is just so different,” she said.

She noted that while online learning had been maintained at a high standard, especially drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 period, many students—particularly younger ones—had missed their friends and school environment.

“We did our best to make learning interactive, but we felt they miss their friends and school, especially the little ones,” she added.

Yaghmour also highlighted the range of safety measures in place as students return. “We have prepared training today, including first aid refresher training for teachers. There is also emergency training at the end of the day, as notified by KHDA,” she said.

She confirmed that safety zones have been marked across campus for use in case of alerts, while outdoor activities, gatherings, and morning assemblies have been suspended as precautionary measures.

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

Pre-KG students took part in safety drills as schools reopened, helping young learners understand basic safety procedures during their return to campus.

In some schools, canteens are closed while outdoor activities are suspended in all schools as part of safety measures, school principals told Gulf News

Students arrive at Al Khaleej International School in Dubai on Monday, April 20, as schools across the UAE welcome students back for face-to-face learning after weeks of remote education.

KG students at Delhi Private School Sharjah expressed excitement as they returned to school, marking a joyful start to in-person learning after weeks of remote classes.

"We are seniors and it feels so long since we haven't been to school. It feels so good to be back. Being around friends is what makes school good for us.As seniors, this is our last year to experience school, so the more around we are here, it is just better," say Arad Tehrani and Radin Kazemkhani.

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

Latefa Al Marzooqi, 18 years old, "We are very happy that we get to spend our senior year in school. It feels so good to be back with my friends. We feel better when we are around people. It gets boring at home with jus4 screens. So good to be back and connect again."

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

School buses arrive at Noya British School in Abu Dhabi as students return to campus following the resumption of in-person learning.

A student brought flowers for teachers at Al Khaleej International School in Dubai, as schools across the UAE welcomed students back for face-to-face learning.

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

Students return to classrooms as schools reopen across Dubai, marking the resumption of in-person learning after weeks of remote education.

Dr Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Principal says it is great to be back. "We have worked very hard for the past 48 hours, ensuring safety protocols. The students are very happy to be back, spoke to them for a bit even if they are very sleepy. We did a survey to see whether they prefer in person learning or home and 91 per cent chose in person. We have also put several safety precautions in place, no outdoor activities, physical education is indoors and we have marked safe zones in the school in case of any alerts, we will keep evaluating by the week.".

- Lakshana N Palat reporting from Al Khaleej International School, Dubai

Mariam Ghaznavi Sheikh, a parent dropping off her child Sophie on the first day back, says she is relieved to see a return to routine. “We are just happy to get back to normal, finally, that was the dream,” she said.

- Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Students are streaming back into classrooms this morning as teachers and staff prepare to welcome them after weeks of remote learning, with a warm reception that includes roses and handwritten cards.

- Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Sharjah Police have deployed traffic personnel to school zones, ensuring safe and smooth movement during drop-off and pick-up hours. Officers are stationed at key points to manage congestion and protect young students as they navigate busy roads.

- Areeba Hashmi reporting from Delhi Private School, Sharjah

Yellow school buses are back on UAE roads as students return to classrooms across the country, marking the resumption of in-person learning nationwide.

Schools across the UAE are reopening with enhanced safety protocols in place after more than 40 days of online learning.

In Dubai, institutions have been implementing measures in line with guidance from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, with staff trained on updated safety and operational procedures ahead of students’ return.

At GEMS Metropole School, designated “safe zones” have been introduced across the campus. Marked with blue stickers in corridors, these areas are positioned away from windows as part of the school’s precautionary planning.

- Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Abu Dhabi Police have urged drivers to fully stop when a school bus extends its “STOP” sign, warning that non-compliance endangers students and carries strict penalties.

Motorists must halt in both directions and maintain at least a five-metre distance to allow safe boarding and crossing. Authorities said violations will result in a Dh1,000 fine and 10 black points.

The renewed warning comes as schools across the UAE resume in-person learning, with increased traffic expected around school zones during peak hours.

Early childhood centres in Dubai are adopting a phased approach to reopening, with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) allowing private nurseries to resume in-person operations gradually, subject to approval.

At the same time, nurseries are expanding home-based learning services, including centre-led home-based learning (CLHL) groups and supervised home tutoring for children up to six years old.

Nearly 100 CLHL hubs are currently operating across communities, supported by more than 74 educators providing home-based learning assistance.

As schools reopen today, flexibility remains a key part of the transition. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai said the return to in-person learning is being carefully managed, with approvals granted only after institutions meet strict health and safety requirements.

Schools and universities may continue to offer a mix of in-person and distance learning to support their communities. However, KHDA has clarified that teachers will not be required to deliver both formats at the same time.

Despite the broader reopening, several schools have informed parents that they will not resume on-campus learning immediately.

Leams Education, which operates multiple schools across the UAE, has confirmed a delay in reopening as it completes final-stage staff training, safety drills, and compliance procedures required for KHDA approval.

Other Dubai schools are taking a similar approach, with some continuing distance learning for at least another week and others extending remote learning until further notice.

Distance learning was introduced in the UAE on March 2, 2026 as a precautionary measure amid regional security concerns linked to ongoing conflict in the region following reported attacks involving Iran and Gulf countries, including the UAE.

The initial remote learning period was scheduled until March 6, before the spring break was brought forward. Authorities later extended online learning in stages while closely monitoring the situation and prioritising the safety of students and school staff.

The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed that in-person classes will resume across all nurseries, kindergartens, and public and private schools on Monday, ending days of uncertainty over the duration of distance learning.

Separately, the Ministry of Interior, through the Federal Traffic Council, has announced a nationwide traffic plan to ensure a safe return to schools. The measures include increased police presence near schools and key roads, enhanced traffic management during peak hours, and steps to support safe movement of school buses and pedestrians.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, reduce speed near schools, and strictly follow traffic rules, including stopping when a school bus “STOP” sign is extended.