Pupils in Sharjah private schools to continue with distance learning for two weeks

The new school term will start on Sunday

 Pupils at private schools in Sharjah will continue with distance learning until Thursday, September 24. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pupils attending private schools in Sharjah will continue with distance learning for the first two weeks of the new term.

Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) on Tuesday said the decision was made to ensure the health and safety of pupils, teachers and staff.

Schools are preparing for the new school year on Sunday following months of disruption caused by Covid-19.

Many pupils are returning to the classroom but the situation differs from emirate to emirate.

"The situation is being continuously monitored," said the authority.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education has spoken about the importance of hybrid learning.

Speaking on Monday at the Arab Gulf Teacher Forum, Hussain Al Hammadi said the approach was good for everyone.

"Applying the hybrid-learning techniques in the educational system achieves the highest standards of security and safety for the components of the educational process within an educational environment that meets the students’ educational needs," said Mr Al Hammadi.

Many schools and universities are using this approach, with third-level institutions deploying blended learning when the new term starts.

The two-day forum was launched under the theme "hybrid education" and during the week, 37,000 teaching staff and school leaders from public and private schools will take training courses.

Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, president of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said hybrid learning is ‎an integral part of the educational process and it is also considered a ‎strategic educational option.

‎"Hybrid learning is not a phased change but rather an opportunity to choose educational styles ‎that suit the current generations, for whom technology is an essential component of their daily ‎practices," he said.‎