UAE Schools Phase Out Online Classes as In Person Attendance Returns

Across the UAE, a quiet but significant shift is taking place in schools as live online classes are phased out and campuses return to near full capacity.

After weeks of distance learning followed by hybrid arrangements introduced during the regional conflict, educators say the transition back to in person learning is now almost complete. Parents have begun receiving circulars confirming that synchronous lessons will no longer be offered as most students return to physical classrooms.

The move reflects growing confidence in regional stability as well as a renewed focus on the academic and social value of classroom based education.

A Decisive Shift Back to Classrooms

School leaders report that the shift has been largely driven by families, with strong demand for traditional face to face learning.

“The recent increase in in-person attendance has been influenced by families’ preference for face-to-face learning, the improved stability within the region, and the recognised academic, social, and emotional benefits of students learning on campus. As attendance has normalised, the school has reviewed the need for running parallel live online classes. While regular live online classes are being phased out, Distance Learning (DL) support may still continue in approved and exceptional cases.”

Seema Umar, Principal of Dewvale School, Dubai

She added that flexibility remains for specific situations. “For students who may require temporary remote learning due to travel, health, or other genuine constraints, the school continues to review requests on a case-by-case basis. Support may include access to online platforms, learning resources, assignments, recorded materials where available, and regular communication with teachers to ensure continuity of learning.”

Emphasising the long term direction, she said,

“While hybrid or online learning remains a useful option in exceptional circumstances or emergency situations, the school’s primary focus has now firmly returned to full in-person education. We believe that classroom-based learning provides the strongest outcomes for academic achievement, student wellbeing, collaboration, and overall development.”

Attendance Rises as Hybrid Model Fades

Data from schools across the emirates shows attendance levels steadily returning to pre disruption norms.

“Learning has now fully returned to in-person, with 100 per cent face-to-face classes. The SPEA has issued clear guidelines on safety protocols and school readiness. We conducted a survey with our parents, and found overwhelming preference for face-to-face learning. On the first day itself, attendance stood at 92 per cent, and it has since steadily risen to nearly 96 per cent. An absentee rate of 4 to 6 per cent is considered normal, even before the disruptions, as reflected in our records from the past five years.”

Pramod Mahajan, principal of Sharjah Indian School

He added that attendance continues to be closely monitored.

“Schools are required to report daily attendance to the SPEA, which monitors whether any students are outside the country and the reasons for their absence. In some cases, families affected by job losses have applied for transfer certificates.”

Limited Remote Support Still Available

Although live online classes are being discontinued, schools continue to offer limited remote learning support for students who need it.

“While most students are learning on campus, we continue to support a small number who temporarily require remote learning due to travel or medical circumstances. In these cases, learning is supported through our online platforms including SeeSaw and Firefly, where students access structured work aligned to classroom learning and receive regular feedback from teachers until they are able to return to school.”

Matthew Harper, Deputy Head of Primary at The British International School Abu Dhabi

He added that student wellbeing remains a priority.

“In addition, students receive weekly one-to-one online check-ins with their teacher to support both their academic progress and wellbeing. Students can also continue to access YouHQ to support their wellbeing during this period.”

A Return to Stability in Education

As attendance stabilises and confidence grows, UAE schools are firmly re-establishing in person learning as the foundation of education.

While digital tools and remote access remain available for exceptional cases, the broader direction is clear with classrooms once again at the centre of student learning and development.

For more information, please visit,

Website