The Committee adopted the decision after extensive consultation with parents and school operators.

Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has announced that return to full in-person learning in the 2021-2022 will steadily commence in private schools in the emirate. Private schools will continue to offer students in-person learning as well as remote learning. This model will be in place until the 3^rd of October this year, whereafter all schools will return to full in-person learning.

Additionally, the Committee decided to allow schools to conduct various activities in their premises, provided that they follow the precautionary measures which ensure the highest levels of health and safety for students and staff. Strict adherence to safety protocols will ensure the success of the full in-person learning model in private schools, the Committee stressed.

The decision was announced at a Supreme Committee meeting chaired by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and is a result of the rapid progress achieved by Dubai and its plan to return to normalcy, in addition to the high immunisation rates achieved by the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

The Committee adopted the decision after extensive consultation with parents and school operators. Whereas the decision was determined as a result of the high vaccination rates of 96% among teaching staff and 70% among school children aged 12-17 also supported the decision.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed said the Supreme Committee’s decision forms part of a comprehensive emirate-wide strategic plan to accelerate recovery from the pandemic without compromising on high precautionary standards.

Furthermore, the decision reflects Dubai’s effective Covid-19 measures and successful vaccination campaign as well as efforts to ease the pandemic’s economic and social repercussions, under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and the follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor further said the move is a proactive step to accelerate Dubai’s return to normalcy. The Supreme Committee has directed authorities to work closely with Dubai's educational community to ensure streamlined compliance with precautionary measures and health protocols.

During the meeting, His Highness also reviewed KHDA’s plans and preparedness for ensuring the safety of students and staff in the private school sector in the upcoming academic year.

The cooperation of everyone in the educational establishments is critical in ensuring that private schools can offer in-person learning in a safe environment, His Highness stressed.

The Supreme Committee will continue to evaluate the progress of in-person learning and monitor various Covid-19 related indicators to ensure that there is no compromise on the levels of protection provided in schools.

WAM