UAE to help private school students get gadgets for e-learning during spring break

Private school students without computers or laptops and internet services at home will be helped by the education regulators to get the gadgets to so they can be able to access e-learning during the spring break.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) said it was coordinating with private school administrations and relevant partners to provide students with gadgets and all other necessary requirements to activate distance education programme for continuity of classes for students.

The education regulators said the schools are already aware of the procedures to be followed as the administrations have been informed of the requirements of the students for the distance learning programme.

Last week ADEK asked the private schools to list all students who might face difficulties taking part in the e-learning programme during the spring break because of a lack of access to the internet or a computer at their home.

Officials told schools to provide them with the names of students and their Emirates IDs numbers so the administration can take the necessary measure as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Education said it had brought forward the spring break for students over fears of the spread of coronavirus. And public schools will use the first two weeks of the break (March 8 – 19) to ensure all plans are in place to implement distance learning. And from 22 March, distance learning will start for all students.

Private schools and higher education institutions were granted the freedom to apply the procedures they see necessary to guarantee education continuity of classes while students are at home.

ADEK has explained that each school is unique and has their own plans for implementing distance learning.

Currently the education regulators are working closely with schools to make additional learning resources available to students and parents where needed. This is to ensure continuity of learning during the school break so that students complete the syllabus.

ADEK said it was currently coordinating with school administrations and relevant partners, to provide students with the requirements they need to activate distance education programme. All students will receive lessons remotely for the two weeks of the break, said officials.