On Monday morning, the yellow school buses once again populated the roads of Dubai as almost all of the 1.1 million students in the UAE returned to school today after their 2 month long summer break.
Schools across the city welcomed students with staggered start times, allowing for introductions, school tours, and orientation sessions to help new students adjust to their surroundings and settle in with ease.
Everyone was talking about what they did this summer and where they went, it was fascinating to see all the people and meet up with friends. Many schools had set up creatively decorated photo booths with fun “welcome back” props, where students snapped pictures with their classmates, capturing the joy of returning to school.
Erin, a Year 10 student at Star International School Al Twar, reflected on her return, saying, “After two months, coming back to school feels like a mix of relief and adjustment. A long break to just rest and go home and see the family in England, but all good things must come to an end, and it’s back to school again. The transition from a relaxed summer to the structured life of school is a bit of a shock, yet there is also an excitement of seeing friends and teachers once again.
While waking up early posed a challenge for many students, the anticipation of starting a new academic year and the welcoming atmosphere at schools made the transition smoother. Aamir Mithaiwala, a Year 7 student at Dubai International Academy says, “Well, its the first day of Year 7, and it is exciting and scary at the same time. I’m looking forward to exploring a new school environment, meeting new teachers, and making new friends. And, plus, I get to see all my old friends.
Divit, a Year 12 student at The Aquila School, expressed his enthusiasm, especially about the new facilities, “I’m excited to be back at school, particularly because we have a new building. I’m happy to reconnect with old friends and teachers and am looking forward to meeting new people this year. “.
Yes, it is the start of the new term for Indian curriculum schools, but along with that comes the anticipation of the upcoming exams as the students dive into their books.
All the principals of the schools around the UAE have been working hard getting ready for the first day of school, making sure everything was ready for the students to come back. Tracy Crowder-Chloe, principal at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, shared her excitement, “We are thrilled to welcome 2,000 students across our two campuses on Saadiyat Island. All the new students are excited to see the new students and teachers, and we have a bunch of stuff planned so they can get to know everyone. “.
To alleviate some of the congestion around schools, schools have their own parking lots, cross walks, and traffic security people to help control the flow of traffic. They have even asked the families to park and drive with caution or better yet walk to school if they live within walking distance to assist the traffic.
Wayne Howsen, principal at The Aquila School, highlighted the importance of safety and the new facilities, saying, “The safety of our community is of the utmost importance. We’ve reminded families to park and drive carefully around the school, and we’re excited that our secondary pupils have moved into a new building with specialist facilities that will enhance their learning experience. “.
