An official date for the new UAE academic year has been confirmed.
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education, confirmed studies across the country will resume on August 30, with administrative and teaching staff returning to work on August 23.
Despite positive signs of normality across the country, including the reopening of malls and beaches although under strict guidelines, distance learning will still be implemented with no clear indication of when students and the staff can physically get back into the classrooms.
وزارة التربية والتعليم تعتمد جداول امتحانات نهاية العام الدراسي 2019/2020
لطلبة الصف الثاني عشر في المدارس الحكومية، والمدارس الخاصة التي تطبق منهاج الوزارة (المسار العام ، والمسار المتقدم) #وزارة_التربية_والتعليم_الإمارات pic.twitter.com/JQ216pI0px— وزارة التربية (@MOEducationUAE) June 7, 2020
Al Hammadi explained that while education and schooling was a “top priority”, distance learning will still apply due to the “current circumstances”.
“Education remains a top priority and national objective, and therefore our leadership has directed to apply the distance education system under the current circumstances so that our students won’t lose track and miss one single day from their academic year,” he said.
Schools and universities have been closed since March due to the global pandemic, but educational bodies have stuck to their calendar with private and public schools due to go on their summer break on July 2.
