Grade 6 to 11 had been learning remotely since the start of the term on January 3
Abu Dhabi: After nearly a month and a half, schoolchildren across all grades returned to school campuses this morning, including students enrolled in Grades 6 to 11.
The phased return to in-person learning at UAE public schools and Abu Dhabi emirate’s schools this term has meant that children in these grades were learning remotely for the first four weeks of the term that began on January 3. They are now back in their classrooms for in-person learning, following a series of checks and rounds of testing to ensure student and school staff safety.
A number of UAE educational authorities mandated a gradual return to in-person learning this term to ensure the safety of the school community after the winter break. The first three weeks of schooling in 2022 therefore saw all Abu Dhabi students engage in distance learning.
The Abu Dhabi Emergencies, Crisis and Disasters Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic then allowed students in a number of grades to resume face-to-face learning on January 24. These groups included students enrolled in kindergarten, primary school, Grade 12, higher education institutes, and in grades that require students to attend international exams. The authority added that other students will be allowed to return to school campuses on Monday.
Parents, students and educators alike were happy to see children back in their classrooms.
Educators also stressed the important role that in-person learning plays in children’s development.
“Whilst we work hard to ensure our distance learning provision is as engaging, interesting, and relevant as possible, and meets the learning needs of the students, what it can’t replicate is the sense of community, peer support, and feeling of belonging that happens when we are all reunited. We are so fortunate that at Aspen Heights British School our families are so responsible and community-focused; the testing requirements for school entry are familiar to all now, and we have been able to ensure welcoming the upper year groups back to school was seamless and calm. As the oldest children re-joined school today, it has been very exciting for our youngest children, as their older siblings were able to escort them to class, greet the teachers, and feel part of the Aspen family once more,” Shanahan said.
In addition to the benefits for students, educators have welcomed the increased level of activity and engagement on school campuses.
“I feel that it is crucial for learners to access face to face learning, especially for our younger students. The interaction with their peers and also with their teacher in-person is a crucial part of school life. For our older learners, we have a very clear focus on preparing them for final examinations, and it is good to see many of them in school and so engaged. We do still have learners online but they are fully involved in live lessons along with the face-to-face learners. It has been wonderful to be able to walk the corridors of the school and hear the ‘buzz’ of learning in classrooms once again,” Brecken said.
Prior to returning to schools in Abu Dhabi, all students have had to undergo free PCR testing. These tests will be repeated every two weeks for students and staff. In the meantime, schools are still also required to provide distance learning to those students who opt for it, as long as the preference is communicated ahead of time to school authorities.
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