It’s the news all students and parents have been waiting for: The Ministry of Education has announced July 2 as the date for public and private schools in the UAE to begin their summer break, with teachers starting their vacation from July 9.
The new academic year for students will begin on August 30, while teachers will return a week earlier on August 23. No directives have yet been issued as to whether students will be required to attend classes or continue their e-learning programmes. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai’s education regulator, stated on its website that it is still unknown which format education delivery will take.
There are, though, three possible scenarios suggested by education experts:
- E-learning will remain 100% of the education process id the Covid-19 crisis continues.
- There will be a transitional phase after the virus has disappeared and the country makes a gradual recovery, with direct education returning at a rate ranging between 30-50%.
- Life returns to normal but will incorporate 70% direct education and 30% e-learning so that technological development and the transition to digital education can be maintained.
KHDA says on its website: ‘Schools are currently scheduled to open in September, though it’s still unknown what form this will take or whether that will change. We are working closely with our colleagues in the federal government so that when a decision is made, it will be applicable to all schools in the UAE. We all hope to get schools open to students again as soon as it’s safe to do so.’