Dubai: As schools across the UAE reopen for the new semester from January 3, you may be wondering whether you have the option of sending your child to school or whether online education would continue to be the norm for students and teachers.
Within the UAE, education authorities have made announcements on the requirements for returning to school as well as the option of distance educations versus physical classes. Depending on the emirate your child’s school is in, you would need to refer to the relevant education authority for guidelines and requirements. These are all the announcements made by each emirate regarding the reopening of schools for the new semester.
Dubai
Private schools in Dubai will open “as usual” from January 3, 2021, in the same manner that was followed during the previous term, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) tweeted on December 30, 2020.
In a couple of tweets the authority clarified: “Thanks for your messages — private schools in Dubai are not affected by the recent announcement and will be open as ‘usual’ next week. As with the first term of this academic year, parents continue to have the choice of face-to-face or distance learning for their children.”
Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, in coordination with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), approved remote learning for the first two weeks of the new school term, starting January 3, 2021. All students, teachers and school staff returning to the UAE from international travel, through any of the country’s airports or ports were asked to adhere to all quarantine measures implemented in Abu Dhabi emirate, in an official announcement by the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
“The decision applies to all students at both public and private schools in the emirate and was made to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and school staff,” the media office tweeted.
Sharjah
Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) has given students all three options:
1. To study remotely from home
2. To attend school in person
3. Or to choose a combination of distance learning and classroom-oriented teaching, while adhering to all the safety precautions as prescribed by the authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure a safe return to schools.
In a post on its Instagram account on January 3, 2020, SPEA stated: “As the new term begins, you can either attend school or continue with online classes. Whichever one you choose, we would like to wish you all a safe and productive year of learning and growing.”
Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain
On their social media accounts, the Ministry of Education also shared the decision by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, in coordination with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which approved remote learning for the first two weeks of the new school term, starting January 3, 2021. Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain will implement this decision.
