On Monday, August 19, several teachers and leadership staff will return to school to prepare for the arrival of students after the summer break. For many, this period is a hectic mix of training sessions, paperwork, and lesson planning. Taher Gharib, Director at Salam Education, highlighted the intense workload. "We start by providing professional training and team-building activities for both new and returning staff to ensure they are well-prepared. Our teachers and leaders spend considerable time analyzing data and devising personalized strategies to support each student," he explained. As an organization managing Al Salam Community School and Al Salam Private School and Nursery, Gharib also noted the extensive paperwork involved, particularly in handling admissions and registrations, which must be completed in the KHDA system prior to class attendance.
Most students in the UAE will return to school on August 26, following an almost two-month summer break. This date marks the beginning of a new academic year for some and the continuation for others. Afshan Yakoob, the director of Blossom Nursery at Maryam Island in Sharjah, has been preparing her teachers to welcome back students. "Given our focus on children aged one to four, it's crucial to create a soothing classroom environment," she said. Teachers are busy setting up various workstations to engage and entertain the children, including special welcoming activities and sensory play areas.
For Yakoob, establishing a routine is the main challenge. "During the summer, most children lack a routine, which complicates the transition back to school," she noted. She advises parents to gradually reintroduce a routine a week before school starts, encouraging them to share breakfast with their children and establish a pre-school routine to avoid morning rushes. For new students, the primary concern is separation anxiety, which Yakoob addresses by encouraging parents to prepare their children for school and reassure them of timely pickups.
Princiya Abdul Karim, the head of inclusion at Grammar School Dubai, also began her work last week. She mentioned that senior leadership members have been involved in staff inductions, training on child protection, and curriculum planning. A meet-and-greet session for parents and teachers is also planned. Karim emphasized the unique needs of her students, requiring tailored approaches. Transition meetings between new and old teachers are coordinated to ensure a smooth handover for special needs students. This year, a new skill development and life lesson program is being introduced, necessitating extensive preparatory work.
Niju Sonu, starting her duties on Monday as the supervisor and coordinator at Abu-Dhabi based Future Rehabilitation Centre, highlighted the challenges of transitioning special needs students back to school after the summer. "Their schedules are often disrupted over the break, making the return to school particularly difficult," she said. To assist this transition, a visual schedule is prepared, along with welcoming activities involving toys and sensory experiences tailored to the students' preferences.
