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KHDA rules change. Dubai parents and kids rejoice as class bubbles officially ‘pop’!
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KHDA rules change. Dubai parents and kids rejoice as class bubbles officially ‘pop’!

by Tabitha BardaMarch 9, 2022

COVID-related classroom bubbles in Dubai are now officially popped, with the Dubai school regulator the KHDA confirming that there are no longer any restrictions on class sizes in schools or Early Childhood Centres for children under the age of 6.

UAE parents have rejoiced at the news, with one mother-of-two – a daughter (age 2) who attends nursery in Dubai, and a son (age 4) who attends a non-profit school in Dubai – telling SchoolsCompared.com:

“This is great news. I explained to my son this week that I was now going to be in the office as the virus was now less dangerous, and he looked up at me with beaming eyes and said, ‘Does that mean we won’t have class bubbles anymore!’ He was so excited.”

“The children deserve to live in a more ‘normal’ school environment with less restrictions, so they can have fun and develop friendships.”

“This is also great news for the teachers as they don’t have to split their time between the kids. In my son’s school the bubbles meant that the teachers had bi-weekly interactions with the children so that they weren’t interacting with both sides of the bubble at the same time.”

Children were “buzzing with excitement” as class-bubble partitions were taken down at Hartland International School, according to FS teacher Mairead Cashman, who shared a video of her children helping to dismantle the wooden boards that had served as classroom divides on her Twitter feed:

Part of a wider easing of restrictions

Previously students aged 6 or under in pre-primary/FS1, KG1/FS2 and KG2/Y1 at Dubai Private Schools were required to be kept in “stable” groups or “bubbles” of 15 or fewer children. Since class sizes are allowed to be up to 30 children, this safety protocol meant friendship groups being split and playtimes being restricted as the same 15 or fewer children were kept in the same group each day, unable to be accessed by children outside of that group.

This class-bubble restriction has now been cancelled as part of a wider relaxing of COVID related safety protocols in schools announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) this March. Other changes in protocol include lifting the need to wear face masks when outside, and the restoration of sporting activities, which had previously been paused.

The cancellation of class bubbles is also welcome news for schools and in particular nurseries and ECCs, many of which have suffered due to the reduced class capacities and increased staffing requirements.

Safety remains top priority

As bubble partitions are dismantled across the emirate, some schools are still taking a cautious approach to the return to normality. Horizon English School wrote in its communication to parents:

“Whilst this is a welcomed change, we will be introducing a transitional programme over the week to ensure a smooth transition into whole class learning and the full use of the classroom environment.”

“This staggered approach will include the gradual removal of partitions within the classroom as well as planned supportive activities to ensure children are happy and confident within their extended learning environment, as well as working alongside different peers.”

“By Friday, 11th March, all bubbles will have been fully transitioned into a full class.”

For parents such as Irish Reyes, Partnership and BD manager at CleverTap and the mother of two children under 6 attending school in Dubai, the popping of class bubbles is good news, but safety should still be paramount:

“I think keeping children in consistent groups or bubbles was essential to control the spread of the virus when Dubai was less vaccinated and when a few had contracted COVID.”

“Two years on, we are now ‘managing COVID’ and living with it daily. Thus, children should not be facing greater restrictions than those in the wider society.”

“However, I personally believe that contingency plans like outbreak management should be kept in place to keep the school community safe.”

Updated safety protocol for Dubai schools

The KHDA has updated the safety protocol for Dubai schools. These standards are effective immediately.

In addition to an infographic on new safety protocol, the KHDA has answered some FAQs for parents:

How will schools and early childhood centres protect the health and safety of my children?

Health and safety standards remain comprehensive. Physical distancing, wearing of masks indoors and regular sanitisation are still in place, among other safety measures.
Health and safety standards from Dubai Government authorities, such as Dubai Municipality and Dubai Health Authority, remain in place.

Are bubble sizes still restricted in classes with children under the age of 6?

No, there are no longer any restrictions on class bubble sizes in schools or ECCs for children under the age of 6.

In which cases will schools continue to offer distance learning?

Schools will continue to offer distance learning when:

  • – Students test positive for Covid.
  • – Students are deemed close contacts, have Covid symptoms AND are awaiting the results of a PCR.
  • – Students live with family members who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

© SchoolsCompared.com. 2022. All rights reserved.

About The Author
Tabitha Barda
Tabitha Barda is the Senior Editor of SchoolsCompared.com. Oxbridge educated and an award winning journalist in the UAE for more than a decade, Tabitha is one of the region's shining lights in all that is education in the emirates. A mum herself, she is passionate about helping parents - and finding the stories in education that deserve telling. She is responsible for the busy 24x7 News Desk, our Advisory Boards and Specialist Panels - and Parents United's WHICHPlaydates - a regular meeting place for UAE parents to discuss the issues that matter to them, make friends and network with others. You can often find Tabitha too on Parents United - our Facebook community board, discussing the latest schools and education issues with our parent community in the UAE - and beyond.

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