COVID-19: Start of academic year in Oman postponed to August 30
Decision welcomed by students, teachers and parents alike
Muscat: The Ministry of Education announced the decision of postponing the start of the 2020/2021 academic year to Sunday August 30. This includes work of educational supervisors and school administration supervisors in educational directorates in all governorates, the general directorate of private schools, members of administrative and teaching staff, and the related jobs in government schools, special education schools and private schools.
Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al-Shaibania, Minister of Education, issued a Ministerial Resolution No. (139/2020) regarding the start of the 2020/2021 academic year to August 30 from the previously decided August 16. Study days, examinations and holidays for the year will be determined in accordance to the decisions to be issued in this regard, the announcement mentioned.
Oman News Agency also noted in this regard, the article on Ministerial Resolution No. (12/2019) regarding the second round exams for the General Education Diploma for the academic year 2019/2020 that will be determined according to the schedule that will be issued in this regard.
The decision was welcomed warmly by the students, teachers and parents community who expressed their happiness and agreement with this decision through their tweets.
The Ministry of Education had recently called on different segments of society to participate in an electronic survey to find a suitable alternative for classroom education which saw active participation from all concerned with close to 52,000 completed questionnaires. The schools in Oman were suspended since March 15 this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government also decided to end the academic year for all students in public and private schools on May 7. The Ministry had also confirmed about the pioneering alternatives it provides in the wake of such situation which integrates e-learning and classroom teaching.