The UAE Ministry of Education announced late last night that both public and private schools, colleges and universities will be closed from 8 March. Schools and colleges will start their spring break early this year, due to the increasing threat of the coronavirus. The spring break which was scheduled to begin from March 29 until April 12, will now begin early on.
What’s It?
The Ministry also stressed that the decision comes as a pro-active measure in safe guarding the students. During the four week break, schools, colleges and universities will undergo a sterilisation programme. As part of the program, schools will conduct disinfection and clean-up of premises, amenities within the campus and school buses.
#عاجل_وام | التربية تعلن تقديم إجازة الربيع للمدارس والعمل بمبادرة #التعلم_عن_بعد.. و تعطيل طلبة المدارس و مؤسسات #التعليم_العالي بدءاً من الأحد المقبل و لمدة 4 أسابيع وإطلاق برنامج التعقيم للمنشآت التعليمية. pic.twitter.com/G8cyX2fyzE
— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) March 3, 2020
Besides, the ministry has also announced a distance learning initiative, ensuring learning continues at home. Schools will continue to enable teaching through tools such as Google Classroom, ClassDojo and Seesaw. During this period, parents are requested to provide a conducive learning environment, by enabling access to internet, gadgets for remote education, and encourage students to make use of the time, so they can complete tutorials.
Government schools will also run a home teaching programme called ‘Learn from Afar’ from March 22 to April 5.
What Else?
Meanwhile six new cases of coronavirus have been identified in the UAE today. The individuals include two Russians, two Italians, one German and one Colombian.”The total number of coronavirus cases has reached 27,” the ministry said, adding that five of the previously reported cases have fully recovered.
Department of Health Abu Dhabi cancelled its international treatment programme- a program that sends patients with acute diseases abroad, for treatment. Several events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have also been called off. Here’s the complete list.