Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
After more than a month of online recitations, virtual high-fives with classmates, and lessons on screens, UAE students are excited to return to their classrooms on Monday, April 20.
In-person learning resumes for all students across the UAE — from nurseries to universities — following the completion of readiness plans and the implementation of strict safety protocols, education authorities announced last week. School bus services will also restart on Monday.
Over the weekend, students prepared for their return to campus life with excitement, looking forward to familiar routines including early mornings, packed lunches, school uniforms, and reuniting with teachers and friends.
Grade 11 student Mariam Younis Al Kaithiri said she will miss the comfort of home but added that nothing compares to being back in the classroom, where she can see her friends, participate in school activities, and focus better on her learning.
“Studying at school is much better because, there, I get to focus more. We understand lessons better as we listen to our teachers face to face,” said Al Kaithiri, who studies at Al Mawaheb School.
The transition, however, may be challenging at first, she said. “It will be a new challenge after getting used to staying home, but it will help us become more active and take things more seriously.”
Noura, also an 11th-grader, at Al Shawamekh School, said she is happy and grateful because for her, in-person learning is not just about restoring routines and reconnecting with her campus community.
“[It represents] a reassuring message that we have overcome difficulties safely and we can now move forward with renewed hope,” Noura told Aletihad.
She emphasised that school offers more than academics. “It is a complete environment where we build our personalities, develop communication skills, and are encouraged to be creative.”
Noura added that from Monday onwards, she expects her learning experience to be “more mature and meaningful”, having realised the value of education and self-reliance during remote learning.
Sara Al Mansoori, who teaches Islamic Education and Social Studies at Applied Technology Schools – Baniyas, is thankful for how the leadership has navigated regional developments while prioritising public safety and stability. The return to in-person classes brings “a moment of gratitude and reassurance”, she said.
As an educator, Al Mansoori anticipates a few challenges in the classroom, including re-establishing discipline and adherence to school routines after the flexibility of remote learning, she said.
Teachers will also need to address academic gaps left by online classes, she added. Al Mansoori also pointed out that schools are actively working on the psychological and academic readiness of students.
“We focus on building a positive national spirit and ensuring students feel supported, while all school facilities, including classrooms and labs, are fully prepared to receive students,” she said.
While remote learning proved valuable when needed, “direct interaction cannot be replaced, as it builds relationships, enhances understanding, and allows for immediate, personalised support”, Al Mansoori said.
Parents have expressed a mix of reassurance and awareness of the adjustments ahead. Amna Al Maskari said that children may need time to readjust, particularly when it comes to “organising sleep schedules, committing to routines, and managing any anxiety about returning”.
However, what matters most is ensuring steady support from families and schools to help students ease back into classroom life. Al Maskari lauded the UAE for being “a source of comfort and safety”.
She described the overall education experience as “positive and well organised — especially in terms of safety measures — marked by continuous support, encouragement, and communication between families and schools”.
