Pupils of schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as government schools across the country, will study from home for the rest of the week as the mammoth clean-up operation from the recent torrential rain continues.
Emirates School Foundation announced on Wednesday afternoon that remote learning would be extended to Thursday and Friday.
The move came after the UAE was hit by more rain since Sunday than it would expect to receive in a year, according to official figures.
“This extension is aimed at ensuring that all public schools and their surrounding areas are fully prepared and safe for the return of pupils and faculty members,” Emirates School Foundation said on social media platform X.
“This measure is part of ongoing efforts to maintain high safety and security standards in educational environments.”
Private and public schools have been operating remotely for the past two days with the UAE experiencing the largest single day of rainfall in 75 years on Tuesday.
“Remote study has been extended for schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to Thursday, April 18, and Friday, April 19,” Abu Media Media Office wrote on X on Wednesday night.
Dubai authorities also confirmed that private schools in the emirate would operate remotely for the remainder of the week.
“In order to ensure the safety of students and educational staff in light of the prevailing weather conditions, it was decided to continue implementing distance education in private schools, early childhood centres and international universities in Dubai on Thursday and Friday,” Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said.
“We hope everyone is safe.”
Authorities in Sharjah also extended remote learning and working to include Thursday.
The move was made by the emirate's Local Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Team, along with Sharjah's Private Education Authority.
Schools in the emirate were urged to continue online lessons for the safety of students and staff.
Private sector firms in Sharjah were also asked to keep remote work mandates in place to minimise risks from the dangerous weather.
