Dubai students can opt for distance learning in new term

KHDA TELLS SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE DISTANCE LEARNING ON PARENTS’ REQUEST

Students in private schools in Dubai can chose to continue with 100 per cent online classes instead of sending them to school when the new academic year starts, officials confirmed yesterday.

It follows a similar decision in Abu Dhabi this week to allow school-going children to continue distance learning in the upcoming school term, in response to parental concerns.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said schools can “as a temporary measure” provide distance learning to students whose parents request it.

In a recent circular sent to school principals, KHDA said, “While face-to-face learning remains the preferred education model, we understand that different parents have different views, especially in the first phases of reopening.

Temporary measure

“As a temporary measure, schools can and should provide 100 per cent distance learning provision in the new academic year to parents who request it. This is intended to help ease parents and children into an eventual return to face-to-face learning.”

It was not immediately clear what period of time ‘temporary’ refers to. There has not yet been an announcement regarding

While face-to-face learning remains the preferred education model, we understand that different parents have different views.” KHDA statement

private schools in Sharjah, or public schools. UAE schools are reopening from August 30. Each school will follow its own model for the school day, which includes a full return, shifts or a blended model.

WAM Shaikh Hamdan during a visit to the KHDA offices yesterday where he was briefed by Dr Abdullah Al Karam. Abdullah Al Basti, secretary general of Dubai Executive Council, accompanied him.