Dubai: As part of its appreciation towards those working on the frontlines of the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), the UAE has announced full scholarships for the children on the frontliners.
Some 1,850 children have so far been granted full scholarships, enabling them to study for free starting this academic year until their high school graduation, Khaleej Times reported.
Applications for the special initiative, called Hayyakum will close on September 30.
Under the programme, frontliners' children will be given slots at public schools in the country where they will not have to pay tuition fees until they graduate high school.
The scheme also covers laptops and transportation, securing the education of more than a thousand children from various nationalities.
The initiative has been rolled out through a directive by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and UAE Armed Forces Deputy Supreme Commander His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Launched by the Education Ministry in partnership with the Frontline Heroes Office, the project is being overseen by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister and Education and Human Resources Council chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
With the aim to not only give the students access to quality education, the initiative also hopes to alleviate the financial stress faced by several healthcare professionals, and ultimately encourage frontline heroes to stay in the UAE longer.
"Our frontline professionals are the true heroes of the UAE and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts," Frontline Heroes Office board chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan said.
"Their selfless service to their communities has helped us get through this difficult time and they are a shining example of the true values and culture of the UAE.
"We at Frontline Heroes Office hope to provide the same level of support and compassion that those on the frontline have provided to millions of people across our nation.
"We wish their children every success as they embark upon a new school year and we look forward to watching them follow in their parents' footsteps to become outstanding members of society," he added.
Hayyakum is the office's first collaborative project, launched in partnership with the Education Ministry and includes a comprehensive national database of over 80,000 frontline professionals and volunteers who are actively protecting the UAE and its residents in the fight against Covid-19.
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