Some schools suspend outdoor activities as air quality dips, reimagine PE lessons

A few schools in Dubai temporarily suspended outdoor activities recently after air quality dropped to unhealthy levels in parts of the city.

- Nandini Sircar

A veil of dust across the sky in Dubai on November 5 blurs the skyline making it difficult for motorists to drive.

(SHIHAB/ KHALEEJ TIMES)

Authorities typically issue direct advisories to UAE schools, urging caution during periods of poor air quality. These alerts have prompted many institutions to suspend outside play and recess activities to protect students’ health — a practice that has now become part of school safety culture.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) bulletin on Thursday forecast dusty to partly cloudy conditions, with windy conditions leading to suspended dust in the air, that also reduced horizontal visibility, particularly in exposed areas.

Reflecting these warnings, some parents in Dubai received email notifications from their children’s schools on November 5, informing them that all outdoor activities — including breaks, lunch, and co-curricular activities (CCAs) — would be held indoors due to poor air quality, as per the Emirati Air Quality Index (EAQI).

Following this, one of the schools in its circular stated that the decision was made as a precaution, based on public health guidance.

The email also mentioned that this was similar to measures taken earlier in April when air quality levels exceeded 600 on the AQI+ (US) scale. Readings from three nearby sensors of the school, showed significant variation, with levels ranging from 92 in The Greens to 172 in The Lakes and 292 near The Springs Souk, highlighting how air quality can differ across areas of the emirate.

Meanwhile, Khaleej Times reached out to several schools to understand the measures they have in place and how they determine when air quality levels are considered poor enough to warrant action.