“Education and Knowledge”: Students aged 3-15 years do not have to be vaccinated to be able to return to school

Requiring private school students in Abu Dhabi to perform a “PCR” every 14 days

The Department has developed a well-studied plan to ensure a safe and successful return to schools.

Photography: Eric Arrasas

The Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi obligated students from the age of 12, teachers and administrators in private schools, to conduct a nasal swab examination (PCR) every two weeks, to allow them to attend school and receive classroom education, while students and all school workers will have to return from vacations upon returning from vacations. Summer, spring, winter and two Eids, presenting the result of the PCR examination, the validity period of which does not exceed 96 hours.

She stressed that to ensure the start of a safe new academic year, all students must meet three requirements, including conducting a "Covid-19" examination, obtaining vaccinations for those who apply to it, in addition to complying with all procedures for returning from travel.

In the "Parents' Guide to Returning to Schools", the department explained that it held meetings and conducted numerous consultations with schools and the concerned authorities, to develop a studied plan in preparation for the next school year 2021-2022, so that this plan ensures a safe and successful return to schools, noting that it employed all Ideas and lessons learned from updating the guidelines for reopening private schools and providing classroom education, with the aim of enabling students to experience learning in an atmosphere of interaction with their teachers and friends, while constantly maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.

The department indicated that, according to the policies of reopening new schools, private schools in various parts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will receive more students, to receive classroom education this year, and schools can choose one of the incoming models, based on the absorptive capacity of each, and in a manner that meets all health and safety requirements and measures. imposed, pointing out that the safety of students and all school staff is a top priority.

The department confirmed that the groups required to conduct a PCR examination, before returning to class study, include all students aged 12 and over, and all school employees, so that they must present a negative examination result, to allow them to enter the school campus, while students of determination are excluded from the obligation to conduct Examination, except in the case of return from travel.

She explained that, based on her commitment to the health and safety of the school community, and to monitor any injuries in a timely manner, all students aged 12 and over, teachers and all school staff will be required to conduct a PCR examination every two weeks, and students aged 12 and over, teachers and all school staff upon return. Among the long vacations (summer, spring, winter and Eid holidays), the results of the PCR examination should be presented, with a validity period of no more than 96 hours, while the school will communicate in the event of any modification to the classroom education requirements.

She indicated that those concerned in the schools will inform the students of the exact date of the examination, before they return to schools, and called on the students' families to communicate with the schools, to ensure the date set for the examination on time, to ensure that their children are allowed to enter the school campus, and to ensure that the examination is carried out on a regular basis. Once children reach the age of 12, in coordination with their schools, to enable them to continue receiving classroom education.

The department stressed that it is not necessary to vaccinate students aged three to 15 years so that they can return to school with the classroom system, but students, aged 16 and above, who wish to receive classroom education on the school campus, must be vaccinated according to the instructions of the official health authorities in the country, provided that They have completed 28 days of the second dose of one of the vaccinations approved in the country, and if they have received the first dose of vaccination, and they choose to return to school to receive classroom education, they must contact the school to obtain the necessary information in particular, before reopening schools She pointed out that the proof of the student's vaccination will be done through the Al-Hosn application.

She explained that students aged 16 and over will be allowed to enter the school campus, in the event that they are exempted from vaccination, and the emergence of exemptions will be verified through the Al-Hosn application, or through an official letter from the “SEHA” company, or other authorized authorities by the Health Department in Abu Dhabi.

She indicated that students will have to take the first dose of vaccination within four weeks of reaching the age of 16 during the school year, and they must receive the second dose at the specified time, and if the students’ parents choose not to vaccinate their children 16 years and over, they can enroll them in the education model. Remotely only, and they will not be allowed to enter the school campus, except to take exams of the utmost importance, with a negative PCR test result.

Back from abroad

The Department of Education and Knowledge confirmed that the procedures for students returning from traveling outside the country require the application of home or health isolation measures, and specific examinations, according to the list of requirements approved by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi and the National Authority for Disaster, Crisis and Emergency Management, and the school must be provided with an approval form. by travelling.

And she stressed her continued implementation of the monitoring program and periodic inspection visits, to ensure school compliance, and safety measures include physical distancing, wearing masks, class groups, and switching to distance education in the event of injuries, while private schools will continue to strictly apply all safety measures imposed in policies and guidelines for reopening. Opening of private schools for the next academic year.

• “Education and Knowledge”: Students and school workers, upon returning from vacations, must present the results of the PCR.

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