Sharjah's emergency, crisis and disaster management team decided to extend the distance learning system for private schools in the emirate to Monday, April 22.
This is to ensure the readiness of schools and surrounding areas to receive students and teaching staff after the severe weather conditions that affected the UAE on April 16. The decision prioritises public safety, particularly after the emirate declared a state of emergency to effectively manage the situation.
Earlier, all Dubai private schools, universities and nurseries were urged to continue distance learning for students facing logistical challenges in the aftermath of the recent severe weather conditions across the UAE.
On Sunday, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) advised institutions to take cautionary measures as facilities prepare to open their doors to students again.
The local emergency, crisis and disaster management team in Sharjah said the step is to ensure the readiness of schools and surrounding areas to receive students and teaching staff after the unprecedented weather conditions.
With record-breaking rainfall from late Monday until Tuesday night last week, many neighbourhoods in Dubai remain severely affected. Several roads are waterlogged and houses are yet flooded. Bus transport and metro services continue to be affected.
Schools and other educational institutions switched to remote learning on April 16 with the KHDA tweeting that following the announcement by Dubai’s Crown Prince that all of the emirate’s private schools, nurseries and universities will offer distance learning.
Following the announcement, no on-site classes were held in most parts of the country on Thursday and Friday.
Life across the UAE came to a grinding halt due to the heaviest rain the country has experienced in 75 years.
Meanwhile, some schools in Dubai have notified guardians about the reopening of school Monday onwards while adding that they will remain "flexible" for students who would be unable to reach them by continuing to offer them distance learning.
"Learning resources that mirror in-class teaching and learning tomorrow will be uploaded on our platforms but teachers will not be live online as they were at the end of last week. Students who access online material will also be marked present for the day," a school said in its notification.
Support staff in Dubai schools were working tirelessly, even staying overnight in schools, to prepare the institutions for the students’ return to their campuses. Housekeeping staff were seen tackling waterlogging issues, repairing leaks, and fixing electrical supplies to ensure the readiness of schools to receive students.