16 years of age and over..and “knowledge” updates the precautionary measures policies
Obligating school students in Abu Dhabi to receive the “Corona” vaccine to return to classroom education
The updated policies include extensive preventive measures to ensure the safety of students and members of the teaching sector.
From the source
The Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi revealed the updated policies of the precautionary measures applied in private schools and educational partnership schools in Abu Dhabi for the school year 2021/22, which include reopening play areas for students, resuming school dining services in full, in addition to education programs. Sports and extra-curricular activities, while adhering to precautionary measures.
The updated policies issued by the Committee for the Management of Emergency, Crises and Disasters Resulting from the Corona pandemic in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi stipulate that, as of August 20, 2021, all students aged 16 years and over must receive two doses of the vaccine in full, to be able to enter the school building.
The updated policies, along with the decisions issued by the committee, include extensive preventive measures to ensure the safety of students and all members of the teaching sector, including teachers, administrators and visitors, in all private schools and educational partnerships schools and facilities.
Under the updated policies, schools in Abu Dhabi will continue to operate according to the large group model in the new school year, in a way that reduces the risks of spreading the virus between groups, as well as reducing cases of switching to the distance education model, and the capacity of class groups will be increased in the kindergarten and the circle stages. First graders (second grade / third year or less) who are unable to adhere to physical distancing measures, from 10 to 16 students per group.
Schools will be able to reopen common areas necessary to enhance levels of social interaction among students, including play areas.
The updated procedures allow the resumption of cooking services in school food halls, provided that food is served to students by the restaurant staff in the school, while adhering to the regulations of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, such as providing food in the form of meals customized for each student.
Upon returning to school in the next academic year, students will be able to attend physical education classes and practice various activities, including swimming, with the application of a set of precautionary measures based on risk assessment, as schools will be required to sterilize halls and areas for sports activities and equipment used in the period between Each use of different groups.
In addition, schools will resume organizing extra-curricular activities exclusively for school students, with a commitment to applying risk assessment mechanisms and safe operating procedures, including physical distancing, and wearing masks.
On the other hand, the suspension of renting school sports facilities to third parties continues until further notice.
Head of the Department of Education and Knowledge, Sarah Musallam, said: “Our priorities are to provide high-quality classroom education opportunities to the largest possible number of students, which is a pivotal factor for their intellectual, physical, social and psychological development, and we will continue to review these procedures to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to preserve the safety of students and teachers. and the entire school community.
In turn, the deputy director of the department, Amer Al Hammadi, said: “In accordance with the updated policies, all students aged 16 years and over, the teaching and administrative staff, and visitors, must obtain a full vaccination against the virus, from one of the vaccines approved in the state, to be able to enter the school campus, Whether during school hours or outside of school hours, and obtaining the vaccine must be documented on the application of the fortress before returning to school in the next school year.”
On the other hand, students and teaching and administrative staff who are officially exempted from receiving the vaccine can enter the school campus after confirming the exemption documentation on the Al-Hosn application or through an official letter issued by one of the vaccine providers approved by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, such as the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company - SEHA and the Mubadala Healthcare Network.
As for students who will reach 16 years of age after opening schools, and wish to continue their education using the classroom education model, they must receive the first dose of one of the vaccines approved in the country within four weeks of their reaching the age of 16, with the requirement to document obtaining the vaccination on the Al-Hosn application And the obligation of parents to ensure that their children complete the second dose in a timely manner.
On the other hand, students of the same age group, and teachers who moved to the emirate recently, will have a grace period to enable them to obtain vaccine doses, as these students and teachers can communicate with their schools to obtain more information in this regard.
The Department of Education and Knowledge is cooperating with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, Mubadala Healthcare, and Yas Mall, to launch a temporary vaccination center, during the period from 3-7 August to 24-28 of the same month.
The student center in Yas Mall welcomes all Abu Dhabi students aged 12 years and over, including undergraduate students, to receive the “Pfizer Biontech” vaccine against the virus, and students can choose to receive the vaccine at any of the approved vaccination centers in Abu Dhabi.
The department confirmed that it has taken a set of measures for students aged 16 years and over, who did not receive the vaccine, to enable them to attend the main exams in their schools.
Increasing classroom capacity
The updated policies of the precautionary measures applied in schools include reducing the requirements for physical distance inside the school campus to one meter inside the classrooms, and throughout the school, which thus allows to increase the capacity of the classrooms, and enable a greater number of students to continue classroom education, and interact with their colleagues and teachers, Especially considering the important role of this interaction in improving the quality of life and development of students.
online education
The updated back-to-school policies aim to provide safe classroom education opportunities for the largest possible number of students, but the distance education option will remain available for students with chronic diseases, students aged 16 years and above who do not have the vaccine, and students who wish to continue distance education. , in the event that their schools provide this form.
• Schools will reopen common areas necessary to enhance levels of interaction.
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