Schools in Bahrain are busy preparing to welcome back students

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

School bells in the Kingdom are getting ready to ring next week to welcome back students after a long hiatus, as data suggested infections were stabilising and fatalities are falling. The National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) had announced that, based on COVID-19 positivity rates, Bahrain would adopt the Green Alert Level starting today. Meaning, students could attend in-person lessons by adhering strictly to social distancing measures. In preparation, the public schools in Bahrain are implementing a comprehensive plan to create an ideal environment for students to return to their classes. The plan, reportedly, is to allow half of the students in a school to take in-person classes twice a week and then move them online as the rest of the students come to school. Schools will also, reportedly, remain closed on a day each week for deep cleaning. In a report carried by GESS, Rasha Al Najjar, the Assistant Principal of Al Hekma International School, Bahrain, said the majority of the parents opted for both remote and hybrid models.

Learn with traffic light

The Ministry of Education has also launched an updated backto-school guide by including the COVID-19 traffic light alert system for the 2021-22 school year. Accordingly, remote learning will be in force for all age groups at the Red Alert level. At the Orange, Yellow and Green levels, parents could choose for either in-person or remote learning. Under the Green Alert Level, 100% of students could attend in-person lessons adhering to the social distancing of at least half a metre. Maximum capacity will be reduced to 50% during the Yellow Alert Level and 30% during the Orange Alert Level, respectively, with consistent use of social distancing of at least 1-metre.

Trained teams ready

Education ministry had also called on schools to set up trained teams, outlining procedures for teaching, learning, preschool levels and special education. Schools are now holding daily meetings and discussions to develop schedules for in-person and online classes. Works are also ongoing to prepare lessons, activities and digital lessons in all subjects.

Safety first

Mustafa Bahjat, the Director of Wadi Al-Sail Elementary Preparatory School for Boys, said, “The school administration has taken comprehensive measures to ensure security and safety of students, according to plans set for each stage.” “Preparation of school facilities, organising classes according to a protocol approved by the ministry, maintenance of air conditioning and internet are taken care of for the smooth functioning of classes,” he said. The school, he said, is also preparing and distributing flyers to raise awareness among parents and students.

We miss them

Batoul Ahmed of Al-Diyeh Elementary Preparatory School for Girls said, “We miss them very much. We miss their voices at the corridors of the schools, their classroom discussions and creativity.” Batoul said she looks forward to implementing more student activities and establishing a school news agency. Ahmed Bucheery, an English Language teacher, said, “We had held meetings and are closely following up everything related to welcoming back students.” “Digital lessons, school schedules, class arrangements are on the prime list.” Ahmed Aref, a Coordinator of the Fields Department, said, “Since returning to work, we have implemented a comprehensive plan to provide educational service in a model environment.” Al Najjar told GESS that the Education Ministry had provided schools with the freedom to plan on reopening. She points out that it will be a combination of remote learning, hybrid and face-to-face instruction in most schools.

67,000 students

More than 67,000 students had registered for in-person classes in Bahrain for this academic year. This represents 47% of the total students at government schools, authorities had said. Schools in the Kingdom had closed doors to in-person classes last year in February, following the COVID-19 outbreak. Even though schooling resumed later in October on a smaller scale, classes went online later.

Saudi students are back

In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, students are already back at school. Reportedly, around 6 million students had returned to classes in Saudi Arabia this week for the first time since the pandemic. Children older than 12 have to show they are vaccinated before they can return. Pupils have to keep their distance during the day - the children sit far apart on blue tables.

Israel students going back

on Wednesday Israel said they are reopening schools this Wednesday with mask requirements and mandatory COVID-19 testing. Students under 12 - the minimum age to receive the vaccine - must present their teachers with a parent’s note confirming they performed a rapid test at home and received a negative result. Beyond the first day, such testing is not mandatory. But officials call for further testing before or after the Jewish holidays, where large family gatherings are regular. The first of those festivals is on Sept. 6 and the last on September 30.

The Ministry of Education has started training public school students to use Microsoft applications and avail technical support through the ministry’s portal.