Universities across the UAE will partially reopen while still offering classes online for any students who do not need to be on campus, authorities announced on Sunday.
Hussain Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education, said priority would be given to students who need to use facilities, such as laboratories, on campus.
He said the blended learning programme would be the safest option for students and staff given the Covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Al Hammadi said safety measures would be implemented at the universities to protect those who will be on campus.
He delivered the news during a meeting with education chiefs to discuss the challenges facing universities this year.
“In light of the current health situation, we decided that the priority of education in universities should be remote for lectures. Personal attendance will restricted to a limited number of staff and students, whose presence in practical and research laboratories, clinical training and examinations is required,” he said.
“We have adopted a combination of distance education and education on campus as it is the safest option for our continuing education.”
Universities, schools and nurseries closed across the UAE in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Schools across the country have said they will reopen in two weeks but offer staggered attendance and a limited number of pupils per classroom to prevent crowding.
Face masks will be mandatory and procedures are in place in the event of a suspected Covid-19 case.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Education said pupils could choose to continue with online learning for the first term of school.
Private education regulators in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi had earlier said that pupils at private facilities would have a distance learning option.
“Parents have been allowed to freely choose between their children’s mode of attendance, face to face at school or through distance learning, for the first term, to achieve stability within the school community and to ensure the safety of our students, while meeting the requirements of physical distancing,” the ministry said.
© The National
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