was giving a much-needed boost to parent s’ confidence. One Dubai school expects at least 1,000 pupils back on January 3 – up from 150 last term. Many others across the UAE say more parents and pupils want in-person classes. Sheela Menon, principal at Ambassador School, an Indian curriculum school in Dubai, said that in the last term, only 12 pupils out of 890 attended classes in person. For the start of the new term on January 3, more than 250 of Ambassador’s pupils will be back for face-to-face lessons. “We feel more confidence, optimism and willingness in parents to send children to school,” Ms Menon said.