A child plays at an amusement zone. John Varughese / Gulf Today

Mohammed Ibrahim, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Education has approved the timeline for the return of school students which will take place in five phases.

The first phase includes the return of 25% of the students for a period of two weeks, the second phase includes return of 50% students for two weeks, and the third includes the return of  75% for two weeks.

The fourth phase includes return of 100% students for one week while the fifth phase will focus on continuous monitoring of protocols and procedures.

The grades that shall return will be determined at each stage and approved by the Ministry or local educational authority.

The Ministry also stated the maximum number of students in a classroom should be 15 students who should maintain physical distance of 1.5 metres inside the classroom and laboratories. And a distance of two metres in other sections of the educational facility.

The Ministry also stressed the necessity of dividing students into groups, dividing students of determination into different groups, and dividing students into groups during breaks. The Ministry also approved 27 procedures within the health protocols inlcuding the Covid 19 examination for teachers, employees, service providers, and students over the age of 12 years, and examination of the temperature and ensuring it is less than 37.5 degrees.

“It is important that students, administrative and teaching staff, and service providers adhere to wearing masks, with the exception of students under six years of age. Teachers have to wear masks while teaching and leave a physical distance of no less than two metres between the teacher and the student. Students and all members of the Administrative, teaching staff and service providers have to stay within the educational facility in case the feel symptoms of Covid-19 or any respiratory symptoms, the Ministry affirmed.

“Students, teaching and administrative staff, and service providers should use personal protective equipment inside the educational facility, and should not share them with colleagues, and should avoid shaking hands.”

The Ministry also stressed on the provision of information and awareness panels about the importance of compliance with health procedures and precautions such as physical spacing, hand washing and hand sterilization.

The Ministry also stressed on the necessity to leave a safe distance between offices and study tables of not less than 1.5 metres and to manage the entry and exit of students in a way which maintains physical distancing.

“All educational establishments are obligated to allocate an isolation room according to the requirements of the Ministry of Health and Prevention. They are also required to put transparent plastic barriers around the students’ study desks to limit the spread of infection. It should also be taken into account that students enter and leave the laboratories without crowding, while making sure to leave a safe distance. A channel of communication with parents, students, educational and administrative staff, and service providers must be determined to report symptoms of Covid-19 infection,” the ministry pointed out.

The Ministry stated that educational and administrative staff and Muslim students must bring their own prayer rugs.

“It is not permissible to use prayer rooms except by students, provided that the educational and administrative staff perform the prayer in their offices, keep a distance of 1.5 metres inside the prayer rooms. Students must wear masks. The prayer rooms must be cleaned after every use.” The ministry added.

Recently, the Ministry of Education launched ‘Our National Ambassadors Programme’ “Estia’dad”, which aims to enhance and enrich students’ abilities and provide them with 21st century knowledge and skills.

The programme also allows students to get acquainted with higher education institutions to gain the skills they need when they move to university and vocational studies according to the highest standards.

The periods of application of programme tracks range from one to four weeks during July and August, the Ministry said in a press release.