The UAE has introduced a new national guide aimed at improving the quality of food and beverages available in schools.

The National Guide for Food and Beverages in the School Environment is designed to help schools, suppliers, and service providers offer healthier and more nutritious options to students throughout the day.

Officials say the guide focuses on building healthy eating habits among students while ensuring they receive the energy needed for academic performance. It promotes balanced, age-appropriate meals that support physical growth, improve concentration, and boost overall learning outcomes.

The framework also sets clear standards for food safety, preparation, and storage, while defining responsibilities for schools, local authorities, and food suppliers. It applies to all educational institutions, including public and private schools, as well as centres for People of Determination.

Schools to keep watch

Under the new rules, schools must ensure full compliance with nutrition and hygiene standards, while suppliers are required to meet strict guidelines and maintain valid permits. Parents will also have access to canteen menus, and schools must track and address any food-related complaints.

The guide introduces a structured system for monitoring and enforcement, with local authorities responsible for inspections, compliance checks, and reporting.

A list of banned items has also been outlined to encourage healthier choices. These include sugary drinks, fried foods, chocolates, processed meats, and products containing nuts.

Authorities say the initiative marks a major step toward creating a healthier school environment and supporting long-term student well-being across the UAE.

In a totally unforeseen move, the CBSE dropped the Class 10 results for 2026 much earlier than the usual May window. While students across India and the globe are rushing to check their scores, the vibe in the UAE is a bit different.

Because of the recent regional disruptions, many students here couldn’t sit for all their papers, leading to a mix of relief and “what happens next?”

How to check your scores

If you haven’t seen your results yet, don’t just refresh the main portal. The official sites had some early technical glitches, so your best bet for speed is:

• DigiLocker
• UMANG App
• Official CBSE Results Portal

Second chance for UAE Students

Worried about your grades or missed papers? Don’t panic. CBSE Principals in the UAE have confirmed that a massive safety net is in place.

A fresh round of compartment-cum-improvement exams is set to begin on May 17. Under a new initiative, the rules have been relaxed to help students affected by the recent events:

• Retake Up to 3 Subjects: You can pick three core subjects, or a mix of two core subjects and one language.
• Best Score Wins: The higher mark between your original result and the retake will be the one that counts.
• Academic Planning: This gives students a chance to secure the grades they need for their preferred Grade 11 streams (Science, Commerce, or Arts).

For now, you’ll only have access to a soft copy of your results. The official, physical certificates won’t be issued until after the second round of exams in May, this applies to everyone, whether you choose to retake a subject or not.

After weeks of distance learning, Sharjah is officially making moves to get students back into classrooms. The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) just dropped an update: teachers and admin staff are heading back to work on Wednesday, April 15.

This marks the first major step in a phased plan to bring in-person learning back to the emirate.

The reopening schedule

If you’re a parent or staff member, here is what the schedule looks like right now:

• Wednesday, April 15: Administrative and teaching staff return to schools and nurseries to prep the grounds.
• Thursday, April 16: Nurseries in government and commercial buildings are cleared to welcome children back, if they’ve finished their emergency and crisis readiness training.

Why the delay

Institutions have been in Zoom school mode since March 2, following the regional tensions and aerial attacks that affected the UAE. While the initial shift to distance learning was only supposed to last a few days, officials extended it indefinitely to keep everyone safe.

Now, with the situation stabilising, Sharjah is following a similar path to Dubai’s KHDA, which is also working on a phased return to the classroom.

Safety first

The SPEA and the Education Council are emphasising that this isn’t just a flip of the switch. Schools and nurseries have to prove they are ready for any emergency before the doors fully open. As KHDA put it, the top priority remains the well-being of students, staff, and the wider community.