Remote learning extended for next two weeks across the UAE

Schools and universities will operate remotely with situation reviewed on a weekly basis

The announcement represents the latest move by authorities in the UAE to continue to provide education for students and pupils despite the disruption caused by the attacks from Iran.

The decision applies to pupils as well as teaching and administrative staff across all nurseries, kindergartens and public and private schools nationwide, state news agency Wam reported.

The situation will then be reviewed weekly with updates being communicated through official channels by the Ministry of Education. Schools in the UAE are well positioned to cope with the extension of remote learning, said a Dubai-based education expert.

"I don't think anybody would say this is ideal. It's a great inconvenience to families, but I think the message that our schools are giving out is one of reassurance that we're in a position to deliver a highly effective product that meets their children's needs at this point," said Graham Paris, US curriculum director for Taaleem schools in Dubai.

"I think parents are very understanding of the system and certainly Taaleem is doing the best it can under the challenging circumstances that we find ourselves.

"We've got children and staff that are not in the country and they can access the online learning remotely. We've got a bit of a blended approach as well, because not every single student is going to be able to log on at exactly the right time."

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research also announced the continuation of distance learning for students for another two weeks at all higher education institutions in the UAE.

Private educational institutions, including schools, nurseries and higher education institutions, have also been allowed to submit requests to return to in-person learning when needed, reported Wam.

Flexible remote work arrangements were also announced for employees working for the federal government who are caregivers for their children, including fathers or mothers whose job roles meet the approved requirements for remote work, the state news agency added.

The government had previously mandated all schools and universities to shift to remote learning at the beginning of March in light of hostile regional developments.

Then the decision was made for schools and universities to begin the spring holiday on March 9, one week earlier than expected.

The two-week break concludes on Sunday, March 22, having been scheduled to initially begin on March 16.

The directive applied to all pupils, students and staff at public and private schools and universities across the country.