UAE: 12th grade students appearing for exam must undergo Covid-19 test

Protocol pertinent to 12th-grade examinations to be held in June 2021 across the UAE has been announced.

All 12th-grade students, teachers, administrators and support staff, including cleaning and catering staff, and security guards, are required to present a negative PCR test result on Tuesday, June 8 and Sunday, June 13, provided that the test results duration do not exceed four days, the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have confirmed.

The protocol, which has been announced for public and private schools applying the ministry’s curriculum, has adopted controls that include arriving at schools 30 minutes before the test and the opening of school gates 60 minutes before the exam, official news agency WAM reported.

أعلنت وزارة التربية والتعليم والهيئة الوطنية لإدارة الطوارئ والأزمات والكوارث.. عن البروتوكول الوطني المنظم لاختبارات طلبة الصف الثاني عشر والمقرر عقدها في المدارس الحكومية والمدارس الخاصة التي تطبق منهاج وزارة التربية والتعليم على مستوى الدولة وتحديدا في شهر يونيو المقبل. pic.twitter.com/O5D3tLxVaj

— وزارة التربية (@MOEducationUAE) May 24, 2021

Parents and those escorting students will not be allowed to be exposed to other students and must stay in vehicles and buses, except those with students of determination. They will also be required to undergo a PCR test and adhere to other precautionary measures.

Students and staff are refrained from going to educational establishments if they are experiencing Covid-19 or any other respiratory symptoms. Measures such as physical distancing and wearing of masks must be adhered to in exam halls.

Meanwhile, students infected with the coronavirus infection or close contacts of infectees are exempted from appearing for exams. Special measures will adopted for such students enabling them to appear for their exams.

Last month, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said that all staff working in private education institutes across the emirate of Dubai are mandated to take a PCR test every seven days, should they choose not to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 infection.

Read: Dubai: Non-vaccinated staff at private education institutes must take weekly PCR tests

This directive was applicable on those employees – either working remotely or onsite – who are eligible yet choose not to be vaccinated.

Earlier this year, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council encouraged employees in public and private educational institutions in the country, including teachers and administrative staff, to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Read: UAE: Teachers and educational admin staff encouraged to take Covid-19 vaccine