Dubai Schools Given Sports Boost Ahead of New Term

Schools across Dubai have been given a boost as students and teachers gear up for the 2021/22 academic year, with KHDA guidance allowing sports to return after a long lay off due to Covid-19 restrictions.

After a difficult school year, with remote learning and school sports severely restricted, the news comes as a welcome change to students, staff and parents across Dubai with face to face classroom learning set to return from Sunday 29 August.

Sports, including swimming, can return as part of the school curriculum while extra-curricular sport has also been given the green light ahead of the new term in changes published by KHDA this week.

For more than a year students have been unable to take part in sport as they know and love it due to Covid-19 related restrictions and the latest guidance provides the first step in the return to unrestricted sporting activity across Dubai.

KHDA guidance states: “Swimming and sports can go ahead. Changing rooms and sports areas will be sanitised after each group of students. All health and safety protocols must be followed according to Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Sports Authority guidelines.”

With focus remaining on appropriate distancing within sports venues and rigorous cleaning and sanitisation required, there is an emphasis on schools to ensure they are following the latest safety guidance but students can look forward to getting back on the track, field and court in the coming weeks.

Whilst there remains some confusion around the finer details of the latest announcement, the signs are positive for a return to school sports leagues in the weeks and months to come which will provide another important element to the learning experience of young people across Dubai.

In addition to the return of school sports, the following are set to return in schools across Dubai in accordance with appropriate safety protocols:

  • Assemblies and school performances allowed
  • School trips can go ahead
  • Extra-curricular activities can resume
  • Canteens can reopen within schools
  • Schools buses can return to full capacity

The full announcement from KHDA can be viewed by clicking here.