Linking virtual classes between “Teams and Al-Manhal” with a new broadcast mechanism in schools

The administrations of a number of schools have announced the adoption of a new mechanism for broadcasting virtual classes in the distance learning system, which is based on linking the Microsoft Teams platform with the “Al Manhal” system, based on the updated directives issued by the School Operations Sector, with the implementation of this mechanism starting tomorrow, Monday, April 6.

Independent channels
According to school letters to parents, seen by Emirates Today, the new mechanism includes opening independent channels for each class according to the approved timetable, so that the teacher begins broadcasting the class within the channel assigned to it at its specified time, provided that the broadcast is closed immediately after the end of the class time. Students are also asked to leave the current class channel and move directly to the next class channel according to the order of the daily schedule, to ensure regularity in the educational process.

Attendance monitoring
The departments explained that the process of monitoring attendance will be done automatically and directly by the Ministry of Education, as login data is transferred from the Teams platform to the “Al-Manhal” system without manual intervention. In order to calculate a student’s attendance, the student must enter at the beginning of the class and open the camera, as the system relies on these two criteria to accurately record attendance. If the student is late to the start of the class or does not turn on the camera, he may be counted as absent or late in accordance with the approved regulations.

Important notes
School administrations reported important organizational observations, as there will not be a unified link for all classes, as each class will have a special link within the channel assigned to it, and the student’s entry at the beginning of the class with the camera open is considered official attendance, while the student’s tardiness or failure to open the camera leads to recording an absence according to the approved controls.

School discipline
She stressed that implementing the “automatic registration of absence” system through the “Teams” platform aims to enhance school discipline and raise the level of students’ commitment to attendance according to the approved class schedules, especially in digital and distance learning environments.

She explained that the new system relies on an advanced electronic mechanism that monitors students’ entry into classes, automatically and accurately, based on the official timing of each class, without human intervention.

Instant photo
The system allows absence to be recorded immediately if a student is late for the start of the class, or leaves before its end, which contributes to achieving the highest levels of fairness and transparency in documenting attendance and departure, and limits any individual efforts in monitoring absence.

She stressed that this trend comes within the Ministry of Education’s strategy aimed at employing smart digital solutions in managing the educational process, in a way that enhances the efficiency of daily follow-up and establishes a culture of commitment and responsibility among students. The system also provides parents with accurate and direct indicators about the extent of their children’s regularity, through reliable reports that reflect the reality of actual attendance in classes.

Improve the quality of interaction
The administrations indicated that implementing the system is not limited to controlling absence only, but also contributes to improving the quality of interaction within classes, by motivating students to fully adhere to class time, and not to enter late or leave early, as this has a direct impact on the comprehension of educational content.

Commitment to class times
The schools called on students to adhere to class schedules, and to enter the platform well before the start of the class, to avoid registering automatic absences, stressing that any delay, even if for a few minutes, will be monitored and documented in the student’s electronic record. She also urged parents to follow up on their children on a daily basis, ensure their technical readiness and adherence to school schedules.

Role integration
The administrations stressed the importance of integrating the roles between the school and the family in the success of this system, as it is an organizational tool that supports the educational process and does not aim at punishment as much as it enhances self-discipline among students.