Staff members greet students on the first day outside a school in Dubai on Sunday.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Over a million children went back to schools across UAE as it reopened after months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The schools opened its doors with precautionary measures in place.

Government and private schools following the curriculum of the Ministry of Education, kindergartens and adult education likely received more than 1,119,000 students on Sunday.

In Abu Dhabi, COVID-19 testing was conducted on all students, teachers, lectures and staff at public and private schools, colleges and universities in Abu Dhabi.

More than 56,000 tests have been carried out so far across Abu Dhabi as part of a major precautionary measure for school reopening.

Al Ain schools adhered to the precautionary measures with timely disinfection programme.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, KHDA, rightly encouraged parents and students to focus on the positives of the school reopening while ensuring preventive measures are strictly followed. Schools would be following specific health and safety guidelines to protect students and staff.

All schools have submitted detailed re-opening readiness plans that outline safety measures, including social distancing, temperature checks, PE lessons, break times, and school start times. KHDA will be monitoring all schools in Dubai in collaboration with key authorities to ensure they are continuing to follow precautionary measures to protect students and staff. Strict measures are in place.

School staff members are required to do a PCR test prior to the re-opening. That will certainly make everyone comfortable. The testing facilities will be based in seven schools in Dubai.