Distance learning in times of COVID-19
From March 2020, UAE has implemented distance learning on all UAE public and private schools and higher education institutions as a precaution to protect students from COVID-19. To ensure a successful distance learning process, it conducted professional training for school teachers and allowed private schools to use their own distance learning system. It also launched smart learning platforms and a guidelines and instructions manual to manage students’ behavior on distance learning. UAE offered free satellite broadband services for students in areas lacking connectivity and free home internet connection for families who have no home internet connection.
Implementing distance learning
On 22 March 2020, Ministry of Education started educating students of schools and higher education institutes through distance learning. This is scheduled to be in force for two weeks.
This step corresponds with the earlier decision by the ministry for a four-week closure of all public and private schools and higher education institutions across the UAE starting 8 March 2020 and to devote the last two weeks of the break from 22 March into 2 April to resume study online through the distance learning system.
To ensure a successful implementation of the distance learning process for schools and students, the ministry took several steps. Some of them are:
- conducting a one-week remote professional training for more than 25,000 government school teachers and administrators, in addition to more than 9,200 private school teachers and principals
- coordinating with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University in launching a free online course 'Be an online tutor in 24 hours' to provide the teaching and academic personnel with the skills of operating online classrooms
- instructing the private schools to implement the distance learning system with a view to ensuring the continuity of the learning process as per the approved mechanisms and plans
- allowing private schools to use their own distance learning system and assigning monitoring and follow-up committees and teams to ensure that the process of distance learning in private schools is being followed
- establishing two advanced operations centres to follow up on the distance learning processes. These centres are equipped with modern systems and screens that enable the school operations sector to monitor the learning process and ensure smooth experience with the information technology resources and effective communication between students and teachers
- facilitating a technical helpline for students and parents to resolve any issues they might encounter in the due course
- coordinating with Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Du and Etisalat to facilitate free mobile internet package for families in the UAE who have no home internet connection.
Managing students' behaviour on distance learning
To ensure students’ compliance with the schools’ values and systems through the distance learning, Ministry of education launched a guidelines and instructions manual titled ‘Students’ Behaviour Management - Distance Learning 2020’ (PDF, 540 KB). The document lists acts and omissions that may be regarded as offences committed by students; offences are categorised on the basis of the degree of their seriousness. The document also mentions procedures for dealing with offences. It also enumerates roles and responsibilities of stakeholders such as the school administration, parents and counsellors.
Emirates Youth Opportunities
The ‘Emirates Youth Opportunities’ is a unified platform that facilitates Emirati youth to access the opportunities available to them in the area of self-development and for serving the country. Several entities are expected to post about opportunities available in their organisations. Opportunities include online training, scholarships, incubators and helping in volunteering efforts to tackle COVID-19. Emirates Youth Opportunities is launched by Federal Youth Authority to help the UAE’s youth invest their time optimally under all circumstances and raise their competencies in future skills.
In This Together Dubai
In This Together Dubai is an eLearning platform launched by Knowledge and Human Development Authority to facilitate online classes for school students amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the implementation of distant learning programme by Ministry of Education.
The platform is a collaboration of government and private organisations in the UAE and the world. It features apps, websites, services and other resources free of charge to students, educators and parents during the distance learning period to facilitate high-quality learning.
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Free satellite broadband services in areas lacking connectivity
In late April 2020, Ministry of Education (MoE) started collaborating with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) so that the latter could provide high-speed satellite broadband services to students and teachers at various locations where terrestrial broadband services are unavailable. This collaboration aims to extend the reach of MoE’s Remote Schooling initiative and facilitate students to access e-learning platforms amid the COVID-19 situation.
After getting the broadband services, students and teachers will be able to access online libraries, educational applications and collaborative platforms, ensuring e-learning and knowledge-sharing through this phase of home-based schooling. The broadband services will be available free of charge.
Read related news coverage on WAM.
Free home internet connection
Families in the UAE who have no home internet connection, can ask for free mobile internet package through Du and Etisalat to enable distance learning for their children. For more information about this free mobile internet package, contact Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) on toll free number 80012.
eLearning, mLearning and distance learning
Learn more about the eLearning, mLearning and distance learning programmes and tutorials in the UAE.
Updated On :
30 Dec 2024
