UAE Schools Suspend Outdoor Activities for Safety

Suspension of Outdoor School Programs in UAE Due to Poor Air Quality

Periods when weather conditions or deteriorating air quality necessitate a deviation from regular daily routines are not uncommon in the schools of the United Arab Emirates. Recently, several schools in Dubai have had to suspend outdoor programs—including physical education classes, recess, and other outdoor activities—as the Emirati Air Quality Index (EAQI) indicated that air pollution reached unhealthy levels in certain areas.

Alert and Rapid Response

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasted dusty, windy weather and reduced visibility for early November, especially in open and unshielded areas. These conditions seriously affect air quality, and schools had to take immediate action to protect students' health.

Authorities directly contact institutions and send warnings when air quality significantly deteriorates. Most educational institutions automatically implement the prescribed measures, which have become part of everyday school safety protocols.

Local Differences Among Dubai's Districts

One Dubai school, for example, notified parents via email on November 5 that all outdoor activities were moved indoors due to the current air quality not meeting health standards. This decision was supported not only by official warnings but also by their own measurements: three nearby monitoring stations showed varying data—92 AQI in The Greens, 172 in The Lakes, and 292 near The Springs Souk—illustrating how variable air quality can be within a city.

Restructuring School Routine Indoors

Schools not only react to events but also operate according to pre-developed protocols. Physical education classes and extracurricular programs (ECAs, CCAs) are moved indoors, where teachers engage with students using creative movement exercises, coordination tasks, strategic games, or quieter, developmental activities instead of usual workouts.

Parents are informed about these changes through regular and swift communication. Most schools use SMS, email, or a dedicated mobile application, with the first notifications about the day's expected air quality and related measures arriving as early as 7 a.m.

Focus on Health Protection: Special Attention for Asthmatic Students

Protecting students’ health involves more than just moving activities indoors. Children with respiratory diseases, asthma, or allergies receive special attention. School health personnel closely monitor these students' conditions and ensure that necessary medication or inhalers are always at hand.

Additionally, technical aspects receive great attention: doors and windows remain closed, school air conditioning systems—especially filters—are checked and cleaned if necessary to ensure clean and fresh indoor air.

Seeking Long-Term Solutions

Several educational groups, including those operating numerous schools in the UAE, are already working to find sustainable, health-protective solutions long-term. They plan to improve air filtration systems, expand closed, air-conditioned recreational spaces to provide sufficient movement options for students on days with poor air quality.

For schools, this is not just a logistical issue but also a responsibility to parents. Appropriate information, thoughtful organization, and health-conscious operations have become fundamental requirements.

Ajman's Example: Similar Protocols in Other Emirates

Similarly to Dubai's measures, an international school in Ajman also announced that it decides on suspending outdoor programs based on AQI values. Safety and health protection are paramount, ensuring that indoor alternatives do not mean any compromise in learning or experiences. Multi-functional rooms play an important role here, allowing children to engage in sports, participate in creative programs, or partake in community activities.

Summary

Variable weather and air pollution present increasing challenges for educational institutions in the UAE. The example of Dubai schools shows that they adapt quickly to situations and apply comprehensive protocols considering health protection aspects. Ensuring the safety of students, providing appropriate information to parents, and uninterrupted support for learning and development remain top priorities even in such conditions. This approach contributes to schools functioning not only as educational institutions but also as communities responsible for children's overall well-being.

(Source: Based on a statement from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).)