• Board of directors reviews school’s efforts to ensure the implementation of precautionary measures
• Members of BoD ensure adherence to more than 15 specific guidelines related to COVID-19 safety measures

Dubai, UAE, 6 September 2020: Rashid School for Boys and Latifa School for Girls welcomed the members of their Board of Directors who visited the schools as part of inspections to ensure adherence to COVID-19 safety measures that have been issued by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

There are more than 15 specific guidelines that the schools adhere to that play an integral role in keeping the entire student body, faculty, management and staff safe. The schools must ensure that all staff members have undergone COVID-PCR testing; students must complete the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Travel and Health Declaration; thermal scanning should be implemented at all entrances to the school; and the schools must contain dedicated isolation areas for those presenting COVID-19 symptoms.

The visit to Rashid School for Boys was led H.E. Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, the Chairman of the Board, accompanied by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Mari, Cabinet Member and Minister of Economy; H.E. Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; H.E. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO, Dubai Future Foundation; and Saeed Bin Ghubash, Secretary to the Board.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi emphasized that the Board of Directors considers the health and safety of students, teachers and employees a top priority, while also ensuring the provision of superior education in accordance with the highest standards, in order to raise a healthy generation capable of achieving leadership skills and excellence. He added: “From this standpoint, we were keen on inspecting all departments of the school and its facilities to ensure compliance with the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have witnessed a high level of commitment and responsibility from everyone involved to provide a safe and healthy learning environment. We rely a lot on the members of our community and their awareness regarding the importance of compliance with the established measures and acting responsibly to ensure public health and safety, especially in the schools attended by our children. Thanks to this commitment, we have absolute faith in our ability to overcome this crisis successfully.”

Latifa School for Girls welcomed members of BoD led by H.E. Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security and Vice Chairman of the Board of Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment and accompanied by H.E. Huda Al Hashimi, Chief of Strategy and Government Innovation - UAE Government; and Moaza Saeed Al Marri, Executive Director, Office of the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors - RTA.

“Ensuring the health of students at school during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is a top priority for the UAE, with authorities across the country taking all precautions necessary to protect students and ensure their safety at this time. Our visit to Latifa School today was undertaken to review the policies and procedures that have been put in place for the safety of the students as well as ensuring that the students are able to enjoy a positive academic environment. During the visit, we were able to evaluate the various Covid-19 protocols and measures that have been enacted within the school while maintaining the optimal functioning of its educational programme” remarked H.E. Mariam Al Mheiri.

At the end of the visit, the members of the Board of Directors thanked and praised the teaching and administrative staff for their great efforts in taking all precautionary and preventive measures and meeting all health and safety requirements for students, in accordance with the best practices and standards followed.

Further measures stipulate that the schools only allow those that are deemed essential visitors on the school premises with a complete Travel and Health Declaration screening from the DHA. To ensure that there is as little congregation as possible, the drop off and pick up times are staggered, and social distancing measures are kept firmly in place. Furthermore, separate entry points at the school to keep sections from mingling, with students kept in their allocated ‘Learning Zones’ are also defined at the schools. The schools offer complete online and hybrid learning options so that everyone’s circumstances and health requirements can be met successfully. This multiple learning model facilitation also ascertains that the schools are ‘agile’ and would be well-equipped to seamlessly transition into a full online learning modality should the pandemic status require more social distancing measures to be employed.

The schools are also regularly deep cleaned and sanitized. Most importantly, the schools are making it an imperative measure that the students learn good hand and respiratory hygiene.

Rashid School for Boys and Latifa School for Girls are among the most prestigious schools in Dubai. Latifa School was established in 1982, while Rashid School opened its doors for the first time in 1986, to be among the most prominent educational institutions in the country. Promoting the primary and secondary stages, the two schools instill a culture of lifelong learning in children, enabling them to benefit from every opportunity to increase knowledge, while also promoting tolerance and respect for others. Both schools have produced an array of leaders and distinguished personalities, at the forefront of which are the sons and daughters of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Executive Council; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; and Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Women's Foundation; and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment announced a comprehensive development plan for both schools. These development initiatives will begin from July 2021 in preparation for the restoration of the luster that the two schools have always enjoyed by preserving their cultural and historic status. Studies will resume in both schools in September 2023.