Since the start of the academic year 2021/22, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has accelerated the implementation of its Blue Schools Initiative, citing a 37% rise in Covid-19 vaccine adoption among children attending the emirate’s private and charter schools.
The Blue Schools Initiative, which was created to help schools return to normalcy by gradually removing precautionary measures, will now launch two months ahead of schedule, with schools slated to benefit from the initiative’s privileges during the first term of the current academic year.
A 37% rise in Covid-19 vaccine adoption among children attending the emirate’s private and charter schools.
The move comes after considerable increases in immunisation rates among students of all ages who are currently enrolled in Abu Dhabi’s private and charter schools. To date, 93% of students aged 16 and over, 68% of 12 to 15-year-olds and 21% of children under the age of 12 have received the Covid-19 vaccine.
To date, 93% of students aged 16 and over, 68% of 12 to 15-year-olds and 21% of children under the age of 12 have received the Covid-19 vaccine
Currently, 34 of Abu Dhabi’s private and charter schools have already advanced through the initiative’s four tiers to open up wide-ranging privileges, including the relaxation of physical distancing and mask-wearing protocols, the re-introduction of field trips, on-campus events, and extra-curricular activities such as team and contact sports, as well as inter and intra- school sports competitions.
Vaccination of students under the age of 16 is still optional, according to government protocols. However, recognising that vaccination adoption is critical to post-pandemic recovery, the Blue Schools Initiative encourages all children to get immunised against Covid-19 to boost protection and reduce the burden of probable infections.