The UAE prolonged distance learning for students until Friday, March 6, as officials keep an eye on the regional security landscape. The decision affects every student and both academic and administrative personnel in public and private schools, along with universities.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai issued an announcement that mirrored the one from the UAE's Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR).
The officials initially declared the transition to online learning on Saturday, February 28, coinciding with Day 1 of the Iranian offensive, with classes beginning online from Monday, March 2 until Wednesday, March 4.
On Tuesday, in a media briefing, Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, the spokesperson for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), stated that a decision regarding whether students throughout the UAE would return to in-person classes or continue with online learning was anticipated within the next 24 hours.
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The transition to online classes is a preventive action in response to regional unrest, especially after missile and drone strikes by Iran on Gulf countries, including the UAE, in light of the recent tensions between Iran and the US and Israel.
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MoE and MoHESR stated that advancements will be carefully observed, and that further actions will be implemented as necessary to ensure the welfare of students and the whole educational community nationwide.
In addition to the education sector, officials have also encouraged private companies to implement remote work, and several public attractions have briefly closed as part of safety measures.
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Educational institutions are delivering classes through online platforms in line with standard Ramadan schedules, and numerous schools have modified exams and evaluations to suit the circumstances. In the UAE, the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors is a top priority, and they will enforce all required regulations to ensure everyone's protection. They also encouraged the public to depend on official sources for all news and information.