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Remote learning has been extended for another two weeks across the UAE as the nation continues to contend with missile and drone strikes from Iran.
A statement was released early on Tuesday morning confirming the extension of remote learning across the country.
The announcement represents the latest move by authorities in the UAE to continue to provide education for students and pupils despite the disruption caused by the attacks from Iran.
The decision applies to pupils as well as teaching and administrative staff across all nurseries, kindergartens and public and private schools nationwide, state news agency Wam reported.
The situation will then be reviewed weekly with updates being communicated through official channels by the Ministry of Education. Schools in the UAE are well positioned to cope with the extension of remote learning, said a Dubai-based education expert.
"I don't think anybody would say this is ideal. It's a great inconvenience to families, but I think the message that our schools are giving out is one of reassurance that we're in a position to deliver a highly effective product that meets their children's needs at this point," said Graham Paris, US curriculum director for Taaleem schools in Dubai.
"I think parents are very understanding of the system and certainly Taaleem is doing the best it can under the challenging circumstances that we find ourselves.
"We've got children and staff that are not in the country and they can access the online learning remotely. We've got a bit of a blended approach as well, because not every single student is going to be able to log on at exactly the right time."
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research also announced the continuation of distance learning for students for another two weeks at all higher education institutions in the UAE.
Private educational institutions, including schools, nurseries and higher education institutions, have also been allowed to submit requests to return to in-person learning when needed, reported Wam.
Some universities in the UAE have already set out plans to continue remote working as a precautionary measure aimed at protecting staff and students.
New York University Abu Dhabi said in a memo sent out to faculty members on Tuesday, March 3 that it would implement remote learning “for the foreseeable future”, to allow students and staff the opportunity to continue their work from outside the UAE.
It said the switch to remote operations would give people the flexibility to do as they feel comfortable based on advice from their embassies and foreign missions.
Middlesex University Dubai, in updated advise on its website, said it would implement remote working until Sunday, April 5.
"The safety of our staff and students is our main priority. Campus will be closed for students until Sunday 5 April. Please do not travel to any of our three campuses during that time."
Heriot-Watt University Dubai confirmed it would adopt remote learning until April 5 and would allow for staff and students to teach and study online, both from overseas and within the Emirates.
Flexible remote work arrangements were also announced for employees working for the federal government who are caregivers for their children, including fathers or mothers whose job roles meet the approved requirements for remote work, the state news agency added.
The government had previously mandated all schools and universities to shift to remote learning at the beginning of March in light of hostile regional developments.
Then the decision was made for schools and universities to begin the spring holiday on March 9, one week earlier than expected.
The two-week break concludes on Sunday, March 22, having been scheduled to initially begin on March 16.
The directive applied to all pupils, students and staff at public and private schools and universities across the country.
