UAE schools reopen - excitement fills campuses as safety protocols usher in a new normal
The school gates opened again across the UAE on Monday morning, and with them came a wave of emotion that no screen had been able to replicate. Students arrived clutching flowers for teachers, seniors reflected on reclaiming their final year, and nursery children - some still a little cautious - were guided gently back into the routines they had left behind nearly two months ago.
A return built around safety
The reopening came with a clear message from schools and regulators: the doors may be open, but the campus looks different. In line with guidance from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and the Ministry of Education, schools across the UAE implemented enhanced safety measures from the very first morning.
Morning assemblies and outdoor activities have been suspended across the board. Canteens at some schools remain closed. Safe zones - designated indoor areas positioned away from windows - have been marked throughout campuses, and students were introduced to shelter-in-place and reverse evacuation procedures during their first days back. First aid refresher training and formal emergency drills are also being rolled out in the opening days of the return.
Poonam Bhojani, CEO of Innoventures Education, described preparations as extensive, covering detailed risk assessments, strict regulatory compliance, and full staff training. "Standardised procedures are in place across all campuses, including shelter-in-place, reverse evacuation, and evacuation protocols, with designated safe zones and assembly points," she said, adding that real-time student accountability and continuous supervision are embedded throughout the school day.
GEMS Education reinforced a clear message to its school communities: lives take priority over belongings in any emergency. Students were reminded never to return for bags, phones, or possessions during an alert, to remain indoors at all times, and to follow only official communications from school management and UAE authorities - not social media or forwarded messages.
Lisa Johnson, principal of the American Academy for Girls, explained what would happen if an alert is issued at dismissal time - students would remain in school and shelter in place until an official all-clear is given, and parents would not be able to collect their children during that window. "We kindly ask that parents do not call the school during an active alert, as staff will be fully focused on ensuring student safety," she said.
The moment students had been waiting for
Across campuses from Dubai to Sharjah to Abu Dhabi, the scenes of the morning told their own story. At GEMS Metropole School in Motor City, students arrived to roses and handwritten cards from teachers. At Al Khaleej International School, a student brought flowers for staff. In Sharjah, Delhi Private School welcomed all 10,000 students across its campus fully in person, with the principal reporting that not a single student had opted to remain online.
Students were candid about what they had missed. "School online is definitely not the same. I'm excited to be back in a proper routine, to have structure again, and to see my friends and teachers in person," said Neeti, a Grade 11 prefect at GEMS Metropole School. Senior students Arad Tehrani and Radin Kazemkhani put it simply: "We are seniors and it feels so long since we haven't been to school. Being around friends is what makes school good for us."
For the youngest learners, the return was handled with particular care. Foundation stage teachers at GEMS Metropole School described a gentle, play-based transition paced at the children's own rhythm, designed to help them process their emotions and settle back in without pressure.
Parents, too, greeted the day with relief. "We are just happy to get back to normal, finally - that was the dream," said Mariam Ghaznavi Sheikh, dropping her child off on the first morning back.
Flexibility remains, and some schools are taking longer
Not every school returned on the same timeline. Several institutions, including Leams Education, have extended their preparation period by one additional week to complete staff training, safety drills, and compliance procedures ahead of their own reopening. Schools with students still overseas or unable to travel are continuing to provide distance learning support for those families.
At GEMS Metropole School, a pre-return parent survey indicated that around 80 per cent of families planned to send their children back on day one - and early reports suggested the actual turnout was even higher. At Al Khaleej International School, a similar survey found that 91 per cent of students preferred returning to campus.
School buses were back on the roads by Monday morning, and Abu Dhabi Police reminded motorists that failing to stop for a school bus with its STOP sign extended carries a Dh1,000 fine and 10 black points, with officers deployed to school zones throughout peak drop-off and pick-up hours.
Sources:
Khaleej Times — "No assemblies, shelter-in-place process: UAE schools reopen with new safety drills" by Nandini Sircar (April 20, 2026). Read the full article.
Gulf News — "UAE schools reopen: Students return to campuses for in-person learning with safety measures" by Gulf News Report (April 20, 2026). Read the full article.
