Abu Dhabi: Everything you need to know about return to school

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) announced a gradual return to in-classroom learning starting January 24, Monday, for private and charter school students. Here’s what you need to know:

Students in the following classes can return to face-to-face learning:

Yes. Distance learning will remain optional to those who choose it – this remains an option for the rest of term one. Parents must inform the school of their preference by January 31. The chosen model will be valid for the remainder of the term.

Allowed:

Not allowed:

For those choosing the in-classroom model, January 31.

If you have travelled in the two weeks preceding in-person school, you need:

If you are a visitor to the school, you need:

If you are a student, teacher or staff member, you need:

No. All private and charter school students over the age of three - regardless of vaccination status and inclusive of Students of Determination - must produce a negative nasal PCR or saliva test result valid for 96 hours before resuming in-person classes.

The rule applies to teachers, administrative staff and third-party contractors.

Nothing. It’s free. Abu Dhabi students can take free-of-charge PCR tests at any private or public clinic, hospital, or drive-through test center without the need to present a designated school code.

To accommodate various start dates of the new term, the student testing service will be available until January 31. Adek advises all students physically returning to school on January 24th to take tests between January 20-22 to ensure valid test results for the first day of school.

A valid Emirates ID

Or

A valid passport

Students under the age of 12 can opt for a saliva test at a variety of test centers across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. Here’s a list:

Abu Dhabi teachers and administrative staff can also receive free-of-charge back-to-school PCR tests at designated centers. A list of centers and school codes has been shared with schools.

In line with the goal of keeping screening for COVID-19 a priority, PCR routine tests will be needed for the following categories:

In 2021, Abu Dhabi made UAE-approved COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for those aged 16 and over and wanting to attend school.

For those aged 3-15, vaccination is not a pre-requisite to face-to-face learning.

Yes. The following are exempt from being vaccinated:

There are a number of preventive measures as well as in case of infection, protective ones. These include:

Physical distancing: A distance of 1.5 metre to be maintained at all times.

Mask wearing: Children are expected to wear a mask throughout the day

Student groups: The school will be grouped into macro bubbles or classes.

In case of classes:

Students to observe one-metre physical distance from one another

Students per class:

In case of bubbles:

These are only allowed for students in KG, Grade1/Year 2 and Grade 2/Year 3.

Maximum number of students: 16 in a classroom

OR

2 bubbles each with 10 students to share a classroom under certain conditions.

Moving to distance learning in case of a COVID-19 case: A section or more of a school may move to the distance-learning module.