What U.A.E schools would look like when they open

Schools will need to prepare for scenarios in case of an infection or a potential outbreak

UAE schools will look vastly different when they bring pupils back to the campus, education experts have said.

Children will walk into school premises wearing face masks. They will get their temperature checked before the morning attendance, play contact-free sports, and will sit metres away from their peers.

Schools in the UAE are scheduled to open on August 30, but there is no confirmation yet on whether remote learning will continue into the next academic year.

Schools may follow a hybrid model, a mix of online and on-campus classes, as educators and policymakers try to determine what classrooms should look like during the pandemic.

Frequent hand-washing but no friendly hugs or sharing food

Strict precautionary measures will need to be in place if schools bring pupils back to the campus.

“Children won’t be able to sit with 30 of their classmates and will not be sharing food in the canteen," said Maya El Hachem, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group, a global management consulting firm. "They will be interacting differently, playing differently, and will be asked to wash their hands very frequently.”

Maya El Hachem of Boston Consulting Group, said children will be asked to wash their hands very frequently and maintain social distancing in schools. Courtesy: Boston Consulting Group

Tony Elzoghbi, board executive at Kent College in Dubai, said schools across the country are waiting for the official direction to plan activities for the next academic year.

“If pupils want to play contact sports, that may not be possible," he said.

"We have to see what the authorities will allow. We will follow their policies.

“There is no clarity yet but we do expect to soon hear from the authorities.”

If pupils are required to stay a few metres apart, schools may encourage children to engage in performing arts or act in plays.

Schools may opt for sports in which people can stay away from each other such as badminton, tennis and athletics instead of football and cricket.

Educators will also have to revise their schedules, and while parent-teacher meetings may be held virtually, it may be a while before children can engage in after-school activities.

Health and safety precautions will be increased with schools investing in fumigation, germicidal lamps, and thermal scanners.

A teacher wearing a mask during a class at a primary school in Belgium amid the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP 

“When schools reopen, we will have a very strong emphasis on preventive measures and social distancing,” said Dr Leila Hoteit, managing director and head of education at BCG.

“If you want people to go back to work and they are caregivers, then you will have to send children back to school.

“Everything in the school that goes beyond the classroom and teaching will have to be transformed digitally.”

Wellbeing of pupils will be a priority

The emotional wellbeing and mental health of pupils will be extremely important when schools reopen as pupils have been studying at home for months with no social interaction.

Pupils’ emotional and social needs will be brought to the fore and personalised education will take a stronger role in the future of education.

“Having the children at home and asking them to wear masks is disturbing for them. They are used to playing together and sharing," said Mr Elzoghbi.

“They will see their best friends but unfortunately will not even be able to hug them. This will have a big impact on them when they return.”

The whole pupil journey will have to be re-imagined by the authorities, said BCG’s El Hachem.

“They will also have to think about the wellbeing of pupils who have been confined for many months and have not interacted with their peers.

“Children love to sit down next to each other. With social distancing being part of the new norm, this will be difficult for them.”

Children wear face masks for gymnastic exercises at an elementary school in Hanoi, Vietnam, after returning from three months off. EPA

Ms El Hachem, who advises schools as well as governments in the Middle East on education, said schools will have to plan financially to understand how many pupils may be able to attend a class at any given time and how many teachers would be needed.

In case of an outbreak

Schools will need to train staff with a focus on the roles of nurses and counsellors while also preparing for scenarios in case of an infection or a potential outbreak.

In South Korea, more than 200 schools were forced to close again last month, days after they had opened, due to an increase in the number of coronavirus cases.

Sir Christopher Stone, global chief education officer at Gems Education, said fallback procedures would be in place at schools in case there is a surge in cases.

“We believe that it would be safe to go back to school. However, if that changes, just like it did in South Korea, then we would not want our children to be placed in that position and we would follow guidelines," he said.

Schools would then consider other approaches such as blended learning, or pupils attending school in batches or at different times.