Public, private schools and higher education institutions across the UAE are heading for a four-week closure as part of the government’s preventive measures to safeguard the health of students given the rapid outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Ministry of Education made the announcement in a statement released to the press and said that the four-week closure would start from Sunday, bringing forward the spring vacation that was scheduled to start from March 29^th and continue till April 12.

Deep Cleaning & Sterilisation
The four-week break will see the schools and educational institutions undertake deep cleaning and sterilisation operations, keeping in mind international standards for health, safety and hygiene.

Distance Learning Programme
According to the statement, a distance learning pilot programme will be implemented during the last weeks of the vacation to ensure minimum impact on education. School and higher education institutions have been given the freedom to apply procedures they deem fit to ensure continuity in classes. The decision, according to the Ministry, has been taken both to safeguard the interests of students and mitigate the effects that may be caused due to a Coronavirus outbreak.

Awareness Campaigns
Educational institution authorities have also been asked to launch awareness campaigns on distance learning and parents have been asked to create and encourage learning environments at home by providing access to proper internet services and other aids and resources that might be needed to maintain pupil’s education continuity as per the subject and time schedule approved by their schools.

“Implementation of this system is prioritised by the ministry to provide an interactive e-platform for distance education for all and to overcome time and geographical barriers, harness educational potential and advanced technologies to ease student stress,” it added.

The ministry urged both teachers and students to seek technical support if they face any difficulties or challenges by contacting 7017000-06 or by visiting Sd@moe.gov.ae