Students attending a class in a Ta’allum school on the first day of school reopening, yesterday.
On the first day of the school year, many eager, happy Ta’allum students made their safe return to school for the start of the Academic Year 2020-21. After the lengthy school closure since last March it was wonderful to see such a mood of optimism and enthusiasm shared by students at meeting friends and their teachers again.
In line with Guidance of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, 30 percent of the total number of students were permitted to attend school on first day (yesterday) with the remainder of students arriving over the following two days, said Ta’allum Group in a statement.
From September 1 to 3, 2020 the emphasis in the Academies is on ensuring students know and understand the health precautions necessary for the smooth and safe operation of the school. The Academies have in place a rigorous system of controls to keep students safe.
From the youngest students in Early Years excited on their very special first day at school to the oldest students preparing for IGCSE and AS exams, the focus has been on safely getting back to normal. Across the three Ta’allum Academies, in the region of 50 percent of expected students were in school.
“This is a positive indication of parent confidence and support for reopening. Student numbers are expected to continue to grow in the following days. We all recognise that, although there is no room for complacency with the pandemic, the time is now right for children to get back to normal, even if it is a ‘new normal,” said Ta’allum Group.
From Sunday, September 6, all students will attend school in person for two days a week with the other three days delivered online. Ta’allum students will experience high-quality ‘Blended’ learning with online and face-to-face activities complementing each other to make up the whole coordinated educational experience.
Ta’allum’s Director of Education, Dr Mohammed Saefan, said, “Our schools have worked tirelessly to ensure the Academy environment is safe and welcoming. We are proud of the high quality of our online learning offer but there is no substitute for face-to-face learning.
"Teachers offer special support to students both academically and personally. We are delighted that in the initial stages we will offer a ‘blended learning’ programme for our students to experience the best of both worlds.”
Ta’allum CEO, Ahmed Mannai, personally visited the Academy sites yesterday morning, as did representatives of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. All declared that they were very pleased with the very smooth and well- organised beginning to the new school year.
