ADEC encourages parents to send their kids back to school

Abu Dhabi / WAM

With the return of the 2016-17 academic school year, parents are encouraged to motivate their children to look forward to going back to school today, with particular emphasis on the first day of school.
The ADEC’s last census indicated that there are about 375,000 students returning to public and private schools (130,147 and around 245,000, respectively) across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on Sunday, August 28. This number does not include an extra 4,700 students studying in Adult Education Centres and 3,300 students studying in home schools across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Approximately 34,000 educators have already organised themselves in preparation for the highly interactive new academic school year, a week prior to the schools starting.
Teachers and Heads of Faculty have received a specialised curriculum training that will help deliver strategies in effective pedagogy, assessment techniques and student centred lesson planning as per 21st century teaching and learning skills, while various professional development workshops have helped guide subject teachers to focus on equipping students with teaching/learnings as well as soft skills and behaviours required for Abu Dhabi’s evolving economy, regardless of a student’s chosen major.
Additionally, students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 public schools have already received their textbooks, while curriculum content can also be accessed online.
Entering a new environment filled with unfamiliar people can cause anxiety to children, which is why parents play a crucial role in reassuring their child that a school offers “fun-loving, interactive, innovative and educational experiences.” Healthy lunch boxes, sleeping early and positive reinforcement are some of things parents should focus on the first day, and the following days and weeks upon returning from a long summer break.