UAE: Students across the United Arab Emirates will continue with distance learning for at least two more weeks, as authorities roll out new measures to keep education running while protecting families and school communities, Emirates News Agency reported.
On March 17, the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council confirmed that online classes will remain in place at the start of the third academic term. This applies to all levels, from nurseries and kindergartens to public and private schools nationwide.
The move is part of a wider effort to maintain learning continuity while responding to current conditions affecting students and staff.
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Two-week extension, weekly review
The Ministry of Education said distance learning will continue for two weeks, covering both students and school personnel, including teachers and administrative staff.
Officials stressed that the situation will be reviewed every week. Any updates will be shared through official school and government channels.
For higher education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced a similar setup. Universities and colleges will also shift to distance learning for two weeks after the spring break.
Institutions are allowed some flexibility. They may decide how academic and administrative staff will return to work, as long as learning quality is maintained.
Option to return to in-person classes
Private schools, nurseries, and universities are not fully locked into remote learning.
They may apply to resume face-to-face classes, depending on their situation and readiness. These requests will be reviewed by authorities, who will decide based on safety and operational needs.
Guidelines on how to apply will be released by the Ministry and local education bodies.
Flexible work for parents and caregivers
To support families, the government also introduced flexible remote work options for federal employees who are caregivers.
This applies to both mothers and fathers working in federal entities, as long as their roles can be done remotely.
The arrangement will cover parents of:
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Children from kindergarten to Grade 8
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Kids enrolled in nurseries
This policy will stay in place while distance learning is active.
Focus on safety and continuity
Officials said these steps aim to balance education, work, and family needs. The goal is to keep learning on track while giving parents the support they need at home.
More updates are expected in the coming weeks, depending on how the situation develops.