UAE parents urged to not send sick children as schools tighten illness protocols

As students across the UAE returned to classrooms on August 31 for the new academic year, schools are reminding parents of an important back-to-school health rule: children who are unwell should stay home until they have recovered.

Schools are encouraging families to keep children at home if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhoea. The guidance is aimed at helping children recover while reducing the spread of illnesses among students and staff.

With millions of students settling into a new academic routine, school leaders say maintaining a healthy learning environment requires close cooperation between parents and schools.

UAE Schools Stress Recovery Before Returning to Class

Schools across the country are reinforcing health and safety practices in line with recommendations from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

At Woodlem British School in Ajman, Principal Natalia Svetenok said children are able to learn better when they are healthy.

She advised parents to keep children at home if they have a fever, flu-like symptoms, vomiting or diarrhoea, allowing them sufficient time to recover before returning to school. Medical certificates may be required in certain cases involving infectious diseases, although they are not necessary for every minor illness.

The school is also continuing preventive measures such as classroom cleaning, ventilation, sanitisation and strong hygiene practices.

Svetenok stressed that early communication between parents and schools is essential when a child begins showing signs of illness.

Parents Encouraged to Act With Caution

For parents, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a child's symptoms are minor or serious enough to warrant staying home, particularly during the busy opening weeks of the school year.

Schools are therefore advising families to take a cautious approach when children develop fever, gastrointestinal symptoms or other signs of illness.

Keeping an unwell child at home not only supports their recovery but can also help reduce the risk of infections spreading throughout classrooms.

Vaccination Remains Part of School Health Measures

Vaccination programmes are also continuing as part of schools' wider efforts to protect student health.

At Sharjah Indian School, vaccination initiatives begin several months before the academic year. Principal Pramod Mahajan said parents are asked to provide their children's vaccination records so the school can identify any gaps and, where necessary, facilitate vaccination with parental consent.

The programme covers students from KG through senior grades, although the type of vaccination varies according to age and requirements.

The school provides parents with vaccination dates and follows a planned schedule. Mahajan said the vaccination drive is conducted six times a year.

For example, influenza vaccinations are scheduled during September and October.

Proactive Cooperation Between Parents and Schools

A Dubai school has also reminded parents that maintaining a healthy school environment requires proactive collaboration between families and the school.

Parents have been advised to keep children at home and monitor them if they develop symptoms including:

Cough
Fever above 37.5°C
Sore throat
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Runny or blocked nose
Body aches
Abdominal pain
Conjunctivitis
Rash
Parents are also encouraged to consult a paediatrician when necessary.

Clear Guidelines for Returning to School

Schools are also providing families with clear guidance on when children can safely return to classrooms.

Children should remain fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication before returning to school.

Students who have experienced vomiting or diarrhoea should wait 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped before returning to class.

The guidance aims to balance children's recovery with the need to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the wider school community.