Due to the suspension of buses, private schools in Abu Dhabi allow the continuation of distance learning for students who are unable to attend

Today, the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi held a meeting with the principals of private schools operating in the emirate to clarify the requirements and responsibilities necessary for reopening, during which it was decided to suspend distance learning classes tomorrow (Friday), so that the educational staff can begin to meet the requirements for the gradual return to school, including undergoing “Stay in Place” (Shelter-in-Place) training, while private schools gave students the option of returning to in-person education or continuing distance learning according to their family circumstances, following the decision to stop the school bus service.

In detail, parents of private school students in Abu Dhabi received messages from their children’s schools informing them that the school will reopen next Monday, April 20, for those families who wish to have their children attend in person. Families can also choose distance learning (online) for their children from FS1 through the tenth grade if they prefer to remain at home.

Meanwhile, private schools informed the students’ families to postpone the decision to return to in-person education until Saturday, April 18, and asked them to fill out a questionnaire before nine o’clock tomorrow morning, Friday, to determine whether they wish to continue distance learning during the current period or return to the in-person education system, indicating that it will allow the application of one educational style for each semester to support the continuity of education while giving priority to the safety of students and employees.

The questionnaire included asking the students’ parents to specify their current preference for their child’s learning style, taking into account that school buses are not currently allowed to operate, by choosing between in-person learning at school or distance learning from home, in the event that the school obtains the approval of the Department of Education and Knowledge to reopen, stressing the importance of filling out the questionnaire and determining the most appropriate learning options for the child, as it will entail dividing classes, distributing employees, study schedules, learning methods, safety procedures, and operational arrangements.

Schools also allowed the continuation of the distance learning option for students who are outside the country and whose presence was previously registered abroad in order to organize the process of obtaining direct education classes according to time differences between countries.